The Managing Director of a Buraux de Change, Unique Usman Global Concept Ltd, Bashir Usman, 49, and two others have been arraigned before a Lagos Magistrate’S Court for allegedly conniving to steal N43,800,000 belonging to the management of AOU Ventures Ltd.
Others charged were Umaru Mohammed, 57, Emeka Emerchebe, 33 and Unique Usman Global Concept Ltd.
A police source alleged that the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Police Special Fraud Unit, PSFU at Ikoyi, Lagos, Mr Ibrahim Lamorde, directed his team led by SP Justina Asemota to arrest the accused persons following a petition by AOU Ventures Ltd that the first accused connived with others to divert N43.8m meant for them to import goods from Dubai and converted the money to his own use.
The accused persons were charged before an Igbosere Magistrate’s Court, Lagos on a two-count charge of felony, to wit diversion and stealing.
Police counsel, ASP Wewe Adegbayi informed the court in charge No O/58/2018 that the accused persons committed the offence between 16 June, 2017 and 20 July, 2017 in Lagos.
Adeghayi told the court that the management of AOU Ventures Ltd. reported to the police that the first accused and the Managing Director of Unique Usmam Global Concept Ltd, Bashir Usman, connived with others to divert N43.8m meant for them to import equipment from ERGIL GROUP, Dubai, United Arab Emirate and converted the money to his use.
He said the offences committed were punishable under sections 419 and contrary to section 278(1)(b) and punishable under section 285 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2011.
The accused persons, however, pleaded not guilty to the alleged crime in the open court and Magistrate O.O Otitoju granted them bail in the sum of N500,000 each with two sureties each in like sum who must have properties in Lagos State with proof of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
Otitoju adjourned the case till 10 October, 2018 for mention and ordered that the defendants be kept at the Police Special Fraud Unit’s Office at Ikoyi, Lagos till they perfected the bail conditions.
