The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, April 25, 2017, arraigned the duo of Auwalu Ila-Sokoto and Nasiru Manjo before Justice Goodluck of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Maitama, Abuja on a 2-count charge of criminal conversion of property and issuance of dud cheque to the tune of N12.8million.
Ila-Sokoto, who is the alter ego of Lalle Global Ventures, allegedly issued a dud cheque sometime in April 2016, to one Fahad Shazad Bhutta, the complainant, after a failed agreement on the purchase of two Toyota cars - 2015 and 2016 model.
Under the agreement, Bhutta delivered the two cars and was issued two United Bank for Africa (UBA) cheques dated 27th April, 2016 and 4th May, 2016 by Ila-Sokoto in the sum of N5million and N7.8million respectively with instructions to the bank to transfer the specified sums from his company’s account to Bhutta’s account.
However, the cheques were returned unpaid by the bank and complainant was asked to contact the defendant, who acted indifferently despite several attempts to resolve the issue amiably.
Count one of the charge reads:
“That you, Auwalu Ila Sokoto, being a Director of Lalle Global Ventures Nig. Ltd, Nasiru Manjo and Lalle Global Ventures Nig Ltd on or about the 16th of April, 2016 in Abuja within the Judicial Division of the High Court of Justice of the Federal Capital Territory did agree among yourselves to do an illegal act to wit, cheating, and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 96 of the Penal Code Cap 532 Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Abuja) 1990”.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge.
In view of their plea, Benjamin Lawan Manji, counsel to EFCC, asked for a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendants in prison custody pending trial.
But, Yusurf Musa, representing the defendants, informed the court of a pending application dated February 13, 2017 praying the court to admit the defendants to bail.
Justice Goodluck granted the defendants bail in the sum of N1million each with two sureties. The sureties must be civil servants not below salary Grade Level 14 currently serving in any of the Federal Government parastatals in Abuja. The international passports of the defendants are to be deposited with the court registrar pending the conclusion of the trail.
The case has been adjourned to May 9 and 16, 2017 for commencement of trial.
Ila-Sokoto, who is the alter ego of Lalle Global Ventures, allegedly issued a dud cheque sometime in April 2016, to one Fahad Shazad Bhutta, the complainant, after a failed agreement on the purchase of two Toyota cars - 2015 and 2016 model.
Under the agreement, Bhutta delivered the two cars and was issued two United Bank for Africa (UBA) cheques dated 27th April, 2016 and 4th May, 2016 by Ila-Sokoto in the sum of N5million and N7.8million respectively with instructions to the bank to transfer the specified sums from his company’s account to Bhutta’s account.
However, the cheques were returned unpaid by the bank and complainant was asked to contact the defendant, who acted indifferently despite several attempts to resolve the issue amiably.
Count one of the charge reads:
“That you, Auwalu Ila Sokoto, being a Director of Lalle Global Ventures Nig. Ltd, Nasiru Manjo and Lalle Global Ventures Nig Ltd on or about the 16th of April, 2016 in Abuja within the Judicial Division of the High Court of Justice of the Federal Capital Territory did agree among yourselves to do an illegal act to wit, cheating, and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 96 of the Penal Code Cap 532 Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Abuja) 1990”.
In view of their plea, Benjamin Lawan Manji, counsel to EFCC, asked for a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendants in prison custody pending trial.
But, Yusurf Musa, representing the defendants, informed the court of a pending application dated February 13, 2017 praying the court to admit the defendants to bail.
Justice Goodluck granted the defendants bail in the sum of N1million each with two sureties. The sureties must be civil servants not below salary Grade Level 14 currently serving in any of the Federal Government parastatals in Abuja. The international passports of the defendants are to be deposited with the court registrar pending the conclusion of the trail.
The case has been adjourned to May 9 and 16, 2017 for commencement of trial.
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