The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Kaduna zonal office, on Wednesday arraigned one Awwal Tahir, and his company, Interland Skills Limited, before Justice M. Tukur of State High Court, Kaduna on a two-count charge of obtaining by false pretence to the tune of N9.6 million.

Tahir, a real estate agent, was said to have approached his victim sometime in June, 2016 offering to purchase his Toyota Camry 2013 model at the cost of N6 million, with a promise to pay within two weeks, but failed.

According to the petitioner, Tahir gave him four plots of land at National Eye Centre, Kaduna, at the rate of N1.5 million each to make up the N6 million.

The plots of land were later discovered to be subject of litigation, which title the defendant had no authority to transfer or sell.

The petitioner further alleged that Tahir collected goods and cash from his wife worth N3.6 million, which he equally defaulted in payment.

In a bid to defray the debts, the defendant again offered 3 plots of land situated at the National Eye Center, Kaduna, as payment.

It was also discovered that Tahir had no authority of the National Eye Center, Kaduna to sell the land. Hence, the EFCC was petitioned.

Count one of the charge reads: “That you, Awwal Tahir “M” the Managing Director Interland Skills Limited sometime in June 2016 in Kaduna within the Judicial Division of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud did obtain a Toyota Camry 2013 model valued Six Million Naira from one Abdullahi Musa under false pretence that the said car will be used for exchange of four plots of land situated at the National Eye Center which you claimed genuinely belongs to you, a claim you knew to be false thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (1) (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud And Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Prosecuting counsel, E. Garba asked that the accused person be remanded in prison custody pending trial, but the defence counsel, M. T. Mohammed told the court that he had a pending bail application before it and prayed the accused be granted bail on liberal terms.

Mohammed also informed the court that the defence is the process of entering a plea bargain agreement with the prosecution. He added that “as at this morning, the total sum of N9.6 million has been fully refunded to the complainant”, and showed evidence of payment to that effect.

In his ruling, Justice Tukur granted the accused bail in the sum of N1 million and a surety in like sum. The surety must have landed property within the jurisdiction of the court and must show evidence of 3years tax payment.

The case has been adjourned to March 16 for commencement of trial

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