A 40-year-old estate agent, Mohammed Rabiu, was mugged at a Kaduna magistrates court on Tuesday over an alleged N4 million fraud.
The defendant, who resides in the Malali area of Kaduna state, is charged with criminal breach of trust and deceit.
The prosecution’s lawyer, Inspector Chidi Leo, told the court that a written request from the complainant, Sani Garba, was received at the State Police Division Headquarters on December 20.
In the course of investigations, it said, it was discovered that at some point in July 2022, the complainant entrusted 3.5 million naira to the defendant who claimed to be the owner of a property at Ungwan Sarki in Malali, Kaduna.
He said that the complainant then gave the defendant the balance of N500,000.
He said the offense contravened the provisions of sections 297 and 307 of the Kaduna State Penal Code.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Magistrate, Mr. Ibrahim Emmanuel, admitted that the defendant posted a bond in the amount of N200,000 with two guarantees for the same amount.
Emmanuel ordered that the guarantors must own land.
He adjourned the case until January 30 for a hearing.
YAYA
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