A Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the remand of businessman Samuel Chukwuemeka, also known as Nwanneka, at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre over his alleged involvement in a N73.25 million fraud.
Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa issued the remand order after Chukwuemeka pleaded not guilty to a charge brought against him by the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Alagbon, Ikoyi.
According to the prosecution, led by S. Ogala, the defendant and others still at large conspired on June 24, 2024, to fraudulently obtain N73.25 million from another businessman.
The money was allegedly received under the false pretense of exchanging it for United States dollars.
However, the funds were reportedly diverted for personal use.
Ogala told the court that the defendant’s actions violate sections 8(a)(c) and 1(1)(a)(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, as well as section 390(9) of the Criminal Code Act, 2004.
Following the not guilty plea, the prosecution requested the court to set a date for trial and to remand the defendant in custody until the case is resolved.
Chukwuemeka’s lawyer, O. Ifeji, told the court that he had only just been briefed and had not yet prepared a bail application.
He asked for a short adjournment to file the necessary documents.
Justice Lewis-Allagoa granted the request and ordered the defendant to be remanded in Ikoyi prison pending further proceedings.