Nigerian man remanded in prison for defrauding MTN of N141m

A 27-year-old man, Eric Agba, was on Friday remanded at a correctional facility by an Ebonyi State magistrates’ court sitting in Abakaliki for allegedly operating an illegal bank account in the name of the Ebonyi State Government.

Agba reportedly used the account to defraud MTN Communications Nigeria Limited and others, of N141m.

The suspect, it was alleged, opened the said bank account in 2018.

City Round learnt that the suspect committed the offence between January and December, 2018, in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital.

He was arraigned by the Department of State Services on four counts of felony, conspiracy, operating an illegal account and false representation.

The Services’ Prosecutor, C.P. Njoku, told the court that the offences were punishable under sections 516A (a), 515, 519, 1 (3) of the Criminal Code, Cap. 33, Vol. 1, Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria, 2009 and 1 (3) of Advanced Fee Fraud and other Related Offences Act, 2006.

The accused was not granted bail as he had no counsel to apply for his bail.

The presiding Chief Magistrate, Nnenna Onuoha, said the matter was beyond the court to adjudicate.

Onuoha directed that the suspect should be remanded at the Nigerian Correctional Centre, Abakaliki, and his case file transferred to the office of Director of Public Prosecutions in the state for legal advice.

The matter was adjourned till February 21, 2020 for report of compliance.

– Punch