Court remands Chinese in Kuje prison over N15mn fraud

The judge blamed the suspect’s lawyer for her order.

An Abuja High Court on Thursday remanded a Chinese citizen, Nong Zhong, of CCIBCEGI Nigeria Ltd in Kuje prison over alleged conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, and fraud.

The Presiding Judge, Jude Okeke, issued the order after counsel to the accused, Victor Edem, failed to file a bail application on time.

Mr. Okeke said that counsel to the accused had sufficient time to file a bail application and was at fault for her decision.

“Bail applications should be a motion on notice, but because the accused’s counsel did not show diligence and you did not do the best for your client,’’ he said.

At the resumed hearing, the prosecuting counsel, Jones Nebo, said the accused was the account signatory officer of CCIBCEGI Nigeria Limited.

She said that the accused was entrusted with the company’s treasure.

The prosecution said the accused had, sometime in January 2013, allegedly conspired with one Li Meng, who is now at-large, to dishonestly remove the sum of $97,000 (N15 million) from the company`s treasury.

According to her, the money was removed with the aim of establishing their own business in China.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The prosecution prayed the court to fix a date for hearing in view of the plea by the accused.

Justice Okeke then adjourned the case to April 15 for the defence counsel to file a bail application and continuation of hearing.

(NAN)