Crimes

Ex-Punch official arraigned for N950m fraud

A 45-year-old former official of Punch Nigeria Limited, Ogunbanjo Mikhail, who allegedly defrauded two men of N950 million, was on Thursday arraigned in Lagos.

The defendant, who was the Head of Copy Sales at Punch, appeared before a Sabo-Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court on a three-count charge.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the counts of obtaining by false pretence, forgery, and stealing.

The prosecutor, ASP Rita Momah, told the court that the defendant committed the offences from January 2017 to December 2022 in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State.

READ ALSO: Ex-Imo deputy governor sent to prison

Momah stated that the defendant obtained N450 million from one Olusola lkuyajesin and N500 million from one Durodola Balogun under false pretences of using the money to buy stationeries.

She added that the defendant forged the organisation’s Local Purchase Orders (LPOs) to carry out the act, in contravention of Sections 287, 314 and 365 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State.

The Chief Magistrate, Adeola Olatubosun, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N10 million with two sureties in like sum.

Olatubosun ordered that the former Punch official must deposit his international passport with the court.

She also directed that one of the sureties must have a landed property within the court’s jurisdiction.

The magistrate, therefore, adjourned the case  until April 5, 2023, for substantive hearing.

The Star

Segun Ojo

Recent Posts

FAAN, security agencies arrest four bandits near Akure Airport

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has announced the arrest of four suspected bandits…

1 hour ago

Police bust kidnappers’ hideout in Nasarawa, recover rifles

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force in Nasarawa State have uncovered a suspected kidnappers’ hideout,…

3 hours ago

EPL: Tottenham strike late to stun Liverpool as Man United boost top-four bid

Troubled Tottenham rescued a 1-1 draw at Liverpool thanks to Richarlison's late leveller, while Manchester…

4 hours ago

Sultan of Sokoto visits Tinubu at presidential villa

The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’adu Abubakar III, on Sunday paid a courtesy visit to…

4 hours ago

FG alleges mining firm plot to discredit Nigeria during Tinubu’s UK visit

The Federal Government has to accused an embattled mining company, Jupiter Ltd, of planning what…

4 hours ago

Troops repel terrorists, recover bicycles in Marte–Dikwa axis

Troops of the Nigerian Army under the Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai,…

7 hours ago

This website uses cookies.