Trader in court over alleged N1.8m rice fraud

A 40-year-old trader, Abdullahi Haruna, was on Tuesday docked in a Kaduna Chief Magistrates’ Court, for allegedly obtaining 50 bags of rice worth N1.8 million under false pretences.
Haruna, who lives on Ali Akilu Road, Kaduna, is facing a count charge of fraud.
The prosecutor, Insp Chidi Leo, told the court that the matter was reported at a police station in September by one Mr Sani Waziri who the defendant allegedly defrauded.
Leo said that the defendant promised to pay for the rice after sales, a representation he knew was false.
The prosecutor added that the defendant failed to pay the money.
According to the prosecutor, the alleged offence contravenes Sections 314 of the Penal Code of Kaduna State, 2017.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Magistrate, Mr Ibrahim Emmanuel, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N200, 000 with two sureties in like sum.
He said that the sureties must be gainfully employed and show evidence of two years’ tax payment to Kaduna State Government.
Emmanuel adjourned the case until Jan.18, 2023, for hearing.