Justice A. Babashani of the Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Apo, on Tuesday July 13, 2021 remanded one Nkechi Joseph Benita, a 29-year-old female shop assistant in prison following her arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Abuja Zonal Office for allegedly misappropriating the sum of N6 million entrusted to her by her employer.
The one count charge reads: “that you, Nkechi Joseph Benita while being a sales girl of Corner Resources Nigeria Ltd sometime in 2019, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court while entrusted with the sum of N6,000,000 (Six Million Naira) belonging to Corner Resources Nigeria Ltd for the purpose of POS business committed criminal breach of trust by dishonestly converting the said sum to your own use and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 311 and punishable under Section 312 of the Penal Code Law Cap 532, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 1990”.
She pleaded ‘not guilty’ to the charge.
Counsel to the defendant Abdulkarim Audu and Ani Patrick who claimed they were representing their client pro bono however applied orally for her bail. This was opposed by the prosecution counsel, Mariya Ujudud Shariff, who informed the court that the defendant had earlier jumped an administrative bail granted by the Commission and extra efforts were made to bring her to court.
She requested that the defendant apply formally to the Court for her bail, while further asking the court to remand her in prison custody.
Justice Babashani granted the defendant bail in the sum of N2 million (two million Naira) with two sureties in like sum who must reside and own a house within Apo and Garki axis of Abuja.
The matter was adjourned till 8th September, 2021 for commencement of trial while the defendant was ordered remanded in prison until her bail term is perfected.
