A prophetess, Linda Mabi-Praise, was yesterday arraigned before the Ikeja Special Offences Court for allegedly swindling a company of N1 billion.
She pleaded not guilty and Justice Sherifat Solebo granted her N25 million bail, with two sureties in the like sum.
The defendant will remain in Kirikiri prisons until she perfects her bail conditions.
Mabi-Praise of Temple of Praise Church, Surulere, Lagos has at least three fraud related cases before Justices Solebo and Oluwatoyin Taiwo.
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) prosecutor Frank Ofoma said Mabi-Praise and her company, Mutano Energy Ltd, committed the offence in 2017 in Lagos.
Mabi-Praise is alleged to have received N503.3million in five tranches from the complainant, Tophara Ventures Nigeria Ltd and subsequently issued three dud cheques to the company.
“On April 4, 2017, the defendants fraudulently obtained N80million from Tophara Ventures Nigeria Ltd by falsely representing to the company that the money was for costs of diesel importation.
“On April 24, 2017 the defendants falsely obtained N238.2million from the complainant by claiming that the funds were for diesel trade and supply.
“On April 24, 2017 the defendants dishonestly stole and converted N137.1million from the complainant and sometime in 2017, she also stole N48million from Tophara Ventures Nigeria Ltd,” the prosecutor alleged.
Ofoma claimed that the prophetess, with intent to defraud, on May 3, 2017, issued three dud United Bank for Africa (UBA) cheques to Tophara Ventures.
The first cheque dated October 30, 2015 had the number 77148231; the second with number 77148216 was dated May 3, 2017. The cheques were for N5 million each.
“On May 3, 2017, she also issued a third cheque for N10 million, with number 77148217 dated May 3, 2017.
“The three cheques were dishonoured on presentation for payment,” the prosecutor said.
Justice Solebo adjourned till March 25.
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