Justice M.T.M Aliyu of a Kaduna High Court on Tuesday ordered that a businessman, Shehu Suleiman, be remanded in a correctional centre for alleged N30 million land fraud.
Justice Aliyu gave the order after the Prosecution Counsel, E. K. Garba, pleaded that Suleiman be remanded pending completion of investigation.
The judge ordered Suleiman’s counsel, Farouq Sani to file a written bail application.
Justice Aliyu adjourned the case until March 16, for hearing of the defendant’s bail application.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Kaduna State Command charged Suleiman with fraud.
Earlier, the EFCC Counsel, told the court that in November 2019, the defendant defrauded Aljhaji Zubairu Auta of N25m over a land deal.
Garba said the defendant met with the complainant and convinced him to pay N25m into his First Bank account, for six plots of land.
The prosecution said the defendant told the complainant that the money was for six plots of land n Western Bypass Road in Kaduna.
He said that after collecting the money, the defendant converted it to his personal use and all efforts made by the complainant to get his money back failed.
The offence, he said, is contrary to and punishable under the provisions of sections 1(1) (b) and 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.