A 59-year-old man, Kenneth Okafor, who is alleged to have defrauded one Mrs. Josephine Membi of N3 million has been arraigned at a Wuse Chief Magistrate’s Court, Abuja.

Theaccused of No 590 Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent, Wuse 2, is facing a five count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy, cheating, criminal breach of trust, disapprobation and personation.

Theprosecutor, Barrister MC Obilor, told the court that the said Mr Okafor had conspired with one Mr Chris Nwoke an alleged international fraudster and misrepresented himself as a pastor to Mrs Membi in order to deceive her and make her believe that she was dealing with a credible Nigerian.

“Based on this deceit, he fraudulently obtained the sum of N1.5 million to buy a fairly used Toyota car for her but failed to fulfill this agreement only to tell her that the said Nwoke had escaped to the United States of America with his share of the proceeds of the fraud,” the prosecutor said. He added that the accused, taking advantage of the weakness of the widow, obtained another N1.5 million under the pretext of purchasing a fairly used ML Mercedes jeep in Lagos, but disappeared with the said amount. Obilor said the accused made several financial demands and extorted more money from the widow under the pretext of paying duties on the car which he never bought. According to the prosecutor, the offence is contrary to sections 97(2), 312, 322, 309 and 179 of the penal code.

Theaccused, however, pleaded not guilty and the magistrate, Ubani Tony Chukwuka, granted him bail in the sum of N1 million with a surety in like sum who must be a resident of Wuse, Abuja. The case was adjourned to the 30th of January, 2018.

Thecase is starting de novo before Justice Chukwuka as it was transferred to him from Justice Zainab Bashir who was recently elevated to the National Industrial Court.