The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday ordered Suleiman Dabo, the immediate past member of Kaduna State House of Assembly representing Zaria Constituency, to be remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre pending a ruling in his bail plea.
Justice James Omotosho gave the order following Mr Dabo’s arraignment by the police on a seven-count charge bordering on alleged fraud to the tune of N30 million.
Mr Dabo was arraigned alongside his company, Ohman International Venture Ltd., in the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/363/2021, as the first and second defendants.
In count one, the ex-lawmaker and his company, sometime in October and November 2017, were alleged to have conspired to obtain N30 million by false pretence from Folashade S. Mojeolaoluwa.
In count two, Mr Dabo and the company, sometime in October and November 2017, were alleged to have defrauded Ms Mojeolaoluwa of N30 million through a GTBank Account No. 0172410075 with the account name Ohman International Venture Limited.
It was alleged that the defendants had, on the pretence of selling a scrap vessel ship known as ADNAN 101, committed the act “when you presented yourself to Mrs Folashade S. Mojeolaoluwa as the bona fide owner of the scrap ship.”
In count three, they were alleged to have converted the N30 million to themselves, the property derived directly from the proceeds of theft, to conceal or disguise the illicit origin of the money.
The offences were said to be contrary to section 8 and punishable under section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act and section 15(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act LFN 2011, among others.
However, they both pleaded not guilty to the seven counts.
Police counsel Mathew Omosun prayed the court to order his remand, given his non-guilty plea.
However, A.S. Egene, representing Mr Dabo in court, opposed Mr Omosun’s application.
Ms Egene said there was a pending bail application dated November 3, 2021, though another one dated November 3, 2023, was also before the court.
He sought to withdraw the November 3, 2023, process, and it was struck out.
The lawyer, who said a brother judge handled the case before admitting Mr Dabo to bail, urged the court to grant their prayers on the same bail terms.
Mr Omosun objected to the application, saying a counter affidavit dated September 8, 2022, was filed in that respect.
Mr Omotosho then observed from the court file that the ex-lawmaker had been absent in court about eight times since the matter was reassigned to him.
Ms Egene pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy.
“As a lawmaker, he should know that the temple of justice must be respected,” the judge responded.
In a short ruling, Mr Omotosho held that, since the defendant had been absent in past proceedings about eight times, the court would adjourn to consider and study the case file judiciously and judicially to arrive at its ruling.
Consequently, he fixed February 5 for the ruling on the bail application.
