Police arraign ex-newspaper staff over alleged N998m fraud

A former employee of a Nigerian newspaper, Olusegun Ogunbanjo, was arraigned before a Lagos Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, yesterday.

He was accused of alleged N998 million fraud.

Ogunbanjo was arraigned on an eight- count charge bordering on conspiracy to commit felony, to wit obtaining under false pretence, stealing and forgery.

The prosecution told the court that the defendant’s offences contradicted Sections 411 (2) 314, 285, 287 and 365 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2015.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to all the counts.

Following his plea, the prosecution counsel, Mrs Q.T. Shomade, asked the court for a trial date, and that the defendant be remanded in a custodial centre, pending hearing and determination of his bail application.

Responding to her submission, the defendant’s counsel, Mr T.E. Okeke, told the court that he was appearing for the first time in the matter and that he needed time to file the application.

He prayed the court for a short date for him to file and move the bail application on behalf of his client.

After listening to their submission, Justice Ijelu ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre, pending hearing and determination of his bail application.

The court adjourned till October 16, for commencement of trial.