Alleged cheating: Absence of defendant stalls trial

The trial of a defendant, Mohammed Tijani charged with criminal breach of trust and cheating was on Thursday, stalled at an FCT Magistrates’ Court in Life Camp Abuja, following his absence.

The police preferred a two-count charge  against Tijani, bordering on the offences.

He had pleaded not guilty to the charges.

When the case was called,  defence counsel, Lilian Ibrahim, prayed the court for a brief stand down of the case for 20 minutes, to enable the defendant arrive court.

Ibrahim, however, later informed the court that the defendant would be unable to arrive court before the allocated time.

In reaction, the prosecutor Charity Nwachukwu, urged the court to give another date for trial.

The Magistrate, Halilu Yusuf consequently adjourned the case until June 30, for continuation of trial.

In the charge, the prosecution alleged that the defendant issued a fake Qatar visa to  a complainant who had paid him the processing sum of N2.7 million on January 5.

She said that the defendant dishonestly converted the said money to his personal use.

The offences contravene the provisions of sections 312 and 322 of the Penal Code.