By Adeyanju Esther
The Lagos State Police Command has charged Rukayya Dantata, a 35-year-old woman, with defrauding a Bureau de Change consulting firm of N350,900,000.
“She was arraigned on two counts of fraud and cheating before the Ikeja Special Offences Court,” according to the prosecuting counsel, Ezekiel Rimamsomte.
Rimamsomte stated that the alleged crimes occurred between July and August 2022.
Dantata reportedly acquired the sum by deceptive means, which was transferred into her Zenith Bank accounts.
The funds were sent to her personal account, 2082551251256, and her firm’s account, 1014937041, under her registered name, Rukayya Saadina Dantata.
“The defendant misled her victims, Saka Rasak of Rosiyike, and others from Financial Consultant Ltd,” Rimamsomte explained, noting that she pretended to engage in legitimate business dealings.
The charges against Dantata violate Section 1(a)(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act of 2006, and Section 323 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.
Despite the serious allegations, Dantata pleaded not guilty. Her defence counsel, David Igbodo, sought bail for her, presenting a bail application dated August 30, which was filed on September 4, 2024.
Igbodo argued, “The defendant has cooperated with all police and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission summons and has not absconded, despite her health issues.”
He further noted that Dantata’s husband, Alhaji Ismaih Singer, along with Otunba Olutaye Ariyo, were present to support her bail application.
The prosecutor did not object to the bail request, stating he left the decision to the court’s discretion.
In a brief ruling, Justice Rahmon Oshodi granted Dantata bail set at N30 million, requiring two sureties in a like sum.
“Both sureties must provide an affidavit of means and proof of three years’ tax payments to the Lagos State Government,” the judge stipulated.
Also, Justice Oshodi mandated that Dantata surrender her passport and any travel documents to the court’s chief registrar, who is responsible for verifying her residential and business addresses.
The case is scheduled for trial on December 3, 2024.