The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a businessman, Chris Ifeorah, for defrauding a South African firm of goods valued at $935,971 (about N285, 237,162.25).
The defendant, alongside his company Wigmore Trading Limited, was arraigned by the commission on January 18, before Justice A. M. Nicol-Clay of the Lagos High Court, Igbosere.
Ifeorah, who was arrested last December 22, was granted N2million bail with two sureties in like sum among other conditions on Wednesday.
He is standing trial on a two-count charge of stealing and obtaining goods by under false pretence from Kellogg’s Company of South Africa (Pty) Limited (Kellogg’s SA).
During his arraignment, EFCC counsel, Muritala Said Usman, alleged that the defendant obtained fast-moving goods on credit from Kellogg’s SA in 2015, promising to pay for them within three months, but became elusive after receiving the items.
Ifeorah denied the charges.
Mr. B. Osakwe, who argued the defendant’s bail application, said he and the defendant’s mother were willing to guarantee his presence for trial.
“The applicant has no criminal record and he will be available to stand trial. We are from the same village. I offer to produce my call to bar certificate or the Certificate of Occupancy of my own house in Okota. His mother, Amaka Ifeorah, is an Assistant Director, Compliance Unit of the Nigerian Shippers Council. She is in Grade 15 and has offered to stand as one of his guarantors. This is a purely civil matter but the defendant has been in Ikoyi Prison since December 22,” the counsel said.
Relying on a 14-paragraph affidavit, the prosecution opposed the granting of bail to the defendant on liberal terms.
After delivering her ruling, Justice Nicol-Clay adjourned the case till April 26.