For allegedly defrauding a Bureau De Change consulting firm of N350,900,000, the Nigeria Police has arraigned a-35-year-old woman, Rukayya Dantata before Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Special Offences Court on Tuesday.
Dantata was arraigned on two counts of fraud, cheating and obtaining money under false pretences before the Ikeja Court.
The prosecuting counsel, Ezekiel Rimamsomte informed the court that Dantata committed the alleged offences between July and August 2022.
According to Rimamsomte, the defendant obtained N350,900,000 by fraudulent means, which was transferred into her Zenith Bank account, 2082551256 and her firm Adat Ventures account number 1014937041 under the name Rukayya Saadina Dantata.
He added that Dantata deceived her victims: Saka Rasak of Rosiyike and others of Financial Consultant Limited, located at No. 50 Kingsway Building, Lagos by pretending to conduct legitimate business transactions.
According to him, the offences committed contravened Section 1(a)(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act 2006 and Section 323 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.
However, Dantata pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against her.
The defence counsel, David Igbodo sought bail for his client brought before the court a bail application dated August, 30 and filed on September 4, 2024.
He urged the court to grant the defendant bail under “the most liberal terms,” stating, “The defendant has complied with all police and EFCC summons and has not jumped bail, despite her health challenges.”
He further said the court that Dantata’s husband, Alhaji Ismaih Singer and one Otunba Olutaye Ariyo were present in court to secure her bail.
The prosecutor did not oppose the bail application and left the decision to the discretion of court.
Justice Oshodi granted Dantata bail in the sum of N30m, with two sureties in like sum.
The judge stipulated, “Both sureties must provide an affidavit of means and evidence of three years’ tax payments to the Lagos State Government.”
Justice Oshodi ordered Dantata to deposit her international passport and other travel documents to the court’s chief registrar, adding that the registrar must verify both her home and office addresses.
The judge adjourned the case to December 3, 2024 for trial.
