A 48-year-old wellness therapist, Abidemi Aderinto, yesterday appeared at a Wuse Zone 6 Chief Magistrates’ Court, Abuja, for allegedly receiving and converting N25 million to personal use.
Aderinto, of Satellite Town, Lagos, was arraigned on an eight-count charge of criminal conspiracy, fraudulently receiving stolen property, cheating by impersonation, theft, dishonestly assisting in concealing stolen property and forgery.
Prosecutor Dabo Yakubu told the court Anthonia Olua, of Simtex International Concept Ltd., on April 17, through a petition to the Inspector-General of Police, reported the matter at the Special Tactical Squad, Abuja.
He said the complainant’s organisation paid $196,000 between January and March into the account of Folaranmi Aderinto, the defendant’s husband, to execute a business for it.
Yakubu said the money was converted to naira at the rate of N330 per dollar, totalling N64.68 million.
He said the defendant’s husband transferred N25 million into the defendant’s Guaranty Trust Bank account, which she converted to her use.
The prosecutor said during police investigation, the defendant confessed to have disbursed part of the money to family and friends.
He said the offences contravened sections 97, 287, 317, 319, 322, 324, 325 and 364 of the Penal Code.
Aderinto pleaded not guilty.
Chief Magistrate Chinyere Nwecheonwu granted the defendant bail at one million naira with two sureties.
The case was adjourned till August 24 for hearing.