The Police Command in Benue, on Wednesday arraigned a student, Callistus Kanan, 29, before a Makurdi Chief Magistrate Court (3b) for alleged criminal conspiracy, issuance of dud cheque and obtaining money under false pretence.
The Police Prosecutor, Inspector Joshua Anyuabagu, told the court that the case was transferred from Police Divisional Headquarters, Tse-Agberagba, Konshisha Local Government Area (LGA), Via letter No. AR:3100/BNS/KON/VOL.10/209, dated 28th October, 2022, to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Makurdi.
Anyuabagu said Terkura Hoo and Teryeri Wuam reported the case at the Divisional Police Headquarters, Tse-Agberagba, Konshisha.
He said the accused, Tersoo Tor-Anyin, of No. 6 Jem Tor-Anyiin Street, on George Akume way,l Makurdi, on 19th August, 2022, conspired with his syndicates now at large and collected N1,250,000 and N3.2 million from Terkura Hoo and Teryeri Wuam, an Immigration Officer attached to State Immigration Headquarters, Makurdi.
He said the accused had promised to introduce them to a business that will yield interest to both of them, and Tersoo Tor-Anyiin later gave them a cheque of N2 million which was dishonoured by the bank for lack of funds upon presentation to the Bank, FCMB.
The Prosecutor said during Police Investigation, Callistus Kanan, who gave his Access Bank Account NO. 1600388783 to Teryeri Martha Wuam to deposit money for the syndicate, was arrested and he confessed committing the offence.
He said the accused contravened Sections 8(a) and 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other fraud related offences Act, Section 1(b)(i) of the dishonoured cheques (offences) Act, 2004 of the Penal Cole Law of Benue State 2004.
Anyuabagu said investigation is still ongoing and requested for additional time to complete it.
However, when the case came up for mention, the accused denied all the allegations against him.
The Magistrate, Mrs Kadoom Gbasha, granted the accused bail in the sum of N200,000 to one surety in like sum who shall be a civil servant with the Benue State Government on Salary Grade 12 and above.
Gbasha further adjourned the case to 10th February for further mention.
(NAN)
