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Court convicts man in absentia for N6m fraud

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Court convicts man in absentia for N6m fraud

A 32-year-old businessman, Lateef Abayomi Hussein, was convicted in absentia on Thursday at the Oyo state High Court after being found guilty in a case of fraud brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)

Justice Mohammed Owolabi who presided over the case pronounced the accused guilty of refusing to pay for the 33,000 litres of fuel he supposedly bought from Dees Travels and Tours Limited.

Based on the petition from the complainant, the EFCC’s Ibadan zonal office had, on August 28, 2017, arraigned the defendant on a three-court charge bordering on stealing, obtaining under false pretence and issuance of dude cheque.

Read also: ZAMFARA: After killing policeman, bandits release 4 others abducted but without their guns

The court granted him bail until after the matter was slated for judgement when he stopped appearing in court.

However, the presiding judge had to shift the judgement twice on March 15 and March 18, 2019

The accused failed to appear in the court on Thursday which prompted the judge to give the verdict even when the accused was still not present.

According to the allegation against him, the accused contracted Dees Travels and Tours Limited sometimes in November 2016 to supply him 33,000 litres of diesel worth N6,435,000 after which he failed when it was time for him to pay.

The accused was, subsequently, discharged on third court charge bordering on issuance of dude cheque.

The judge also issued a bench warrant against the convict, and reserved his sentence till when he is either arrested or he surrenders himself to the court.

By Todimu Ogunade…

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