The Magistrates’ Court in Enugu, on Tuesday, arraigned Emeka Edoh, a deputy director in the Enugu State Water Corporation, for allegedly defrauding some Enugu residents of N150,000.
Mr Edoh, 56, was arraigned before Magistrate Joseph Agu on a one-count charge of obtaining the sum under false pretence.
When the charge was read to him, the defendant pleaded not guilty.
The defendant’s counsel, E.E. Ezekwe, applied for his bail, saying the offence committed by his client was bailable. However, the prosecutor, Onyinye Ugwu, opposed his application.
Ms Ugwu, a senior legal officer from the Office of the Attorney-General of Enugu State, argued that the offence for which the defendant was charged was serious.
After hearing the arguments of both parties, Mr Agu granted the defendant N500,000 bail and a surety, who must be a staff of the Enugu State Water Corporation on Grade Level 14 or above.
Earlier, the prosecutor told the court that the offence was committed on April 23 at No 144 Banks Avenue in Enugu North Magisterial District.
Ms Ugwu said the defendant defrauded Chinyere Ogbonna, Onyinye Ugwu, and other neighbourhood members of N150,000 by false pretence of rectifying their bill at the state Water Corporation.
She added that the offence committed was punishable under section 386 of the Criminal Code, Cap 30 Vol 11, reversed Laws of the Enugu State of Nigeria.
The magistrate, therefore, adjourned the matter till May 22 for a hearing.