A 22-year-old security guard, Moses Alaska, was arraigned on Thursday before the Life Camp Chief Magistrates’ Court in Abuja for allegedly defrauding three of his friends of N15,500.
Alaska, who lives at 1st Avenue, Gwarinpa, Abuja, faces a two-count charge of criminal breach of trust and cheating.
Prosecutor Charity Nwachukwu told the court that the case was lodged on 30 June by the complainants, Dayahu Abubakar, Ibrahim Garba and Abdulsahuru Yahuza, all of whom reside in the same Gwarinpa neighbourhood.
She explained that on 29 June, the defendant collected N8,000 from Abubakar, N4,500 from Garba and N3,000 from Yahuza on the false promise of returning the money once he got home. Instead, Alaska allegedly used the funds to place bets with BetNaija without the consent of his friends.
Efforts by the complainants to recover their money proved futile, prompting them to report the matter to the police.
The prosecutor said the offences are contrary to Sections 312 and 322 of the Penal Code.
Magistrate Musa Jobbo granted Alaska bail set at N100,000, with one surety in the same amount. The surety must reside within the court’s jurisdiction.
The case has been adjourned until 14 August for hearing.