Justice Binta Nyako issued the order for Mrs. Olagunju’s remand in prison on Wednesday after she was arraigned on a four-count charge.
She is standing trial for allegedly obtaining N12.4 million from job seekers under false pretence, with the promise that she has the capacity to secure them employment in the NSCDC.
The accused, who resides in Karu Site, Abuja, however pleaded not guilty when the charge, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/183/2024, filed in the name of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), was read to her.
Shortly after the defendant’s plea, prosecuting lawyer, Princewill Eke applied for a date for the commencement of trial.
Defence lawyer, M. A. Oloniruka told the court that he had filed a bail application before the court’s sitting.
Upon being told by the judge that the application was not in the court’s file and therefore was not ripe for hearing, Oloniruka sought to apply orally for his client’s bail.
Justice Nyako rejected the defence lawyer’s request to apply orally for bail, noting that the court being a court of record, all applications must be formal and in writing.
“This matter is adjourned till October 9 for trial. The defendant should be remanded in Suleja correctional centre,” Justice Nyako said.
Mrs. Olagunju was, in count one of the charge, said to have sometimes between 2010 and 2023, obtained by false pretense and with intent to defraud Nigerians, including Billi Haruna Bwala, the sum of N12,400,000.00 on the pretext of securing employment for them at the NSCDC.
This, the prosecution said, is an offence punishable under Section 1(1)(c) of the Advance Free Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006.
She is also accused of conspiring with others to commit an offence, punishable under Section 97(1) of the Panel Code Act, 2004.
In count three, she was alleged to have betrayed her oath of service as an employee of the NSCDC in contravention of Section 311 and punishable under Section 312 of the Penal Code Act 2004.
Count four reads: “That you Olagunju Comfort (f) of Karu Site, Abuja sometime between the year 2010 and 2023 fraudulently and dishonestly induced some Nigerians to part with the sum of N12,400,000.00 thereby cheating them of the said sum and causing damage to them and thereby commit an offense contrary to section 320 and punishable under section 322 of the Penal Code Act 2004.
