An operations manager with Vital Construction Nigeria Ltd., Sani Zekeri, was on Tuesday brought before a Wuse Magistrates’ Court for allegedly diverting N100 million belonging to his employer.
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The defendant is facing a four-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, cheating, misappropriation, and theft. He entered a plea of not guilty.
Police prosecutor, Donatus Abah, informed the court that the case stemmed from a petition submitted by Mr Suleiman Ahmed, a representative of the construction firm, to the FCT Commissioner of Police on 29 July.
According to Abah, investigations revealed that Zekeri had over the years diverted N100 million from the company’s funds and invested the money in the construction of three residential houses at different locations.
The prosecutor said the offences ran contrary to Sections 289, 309, 322, and 314 of the Penal Code.
Defence counsel, Mr Adams Inuekenhe, appealed to the court to grant bail pursuant to Section 158 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) and Section 35 of the 1999 Constitution, assuring that the accused would not obstruct ongoing investigations.
Presiding magistrate, Mr Sunday Adukwu, granted bail in the sum of N5 million, with one surety who must be a public or civil servant not below Grade Level 10.
He ruled that failure to meet the bail conditions would lead to remand at the Nigerian Correctional Service Centre.
The case was adjourned to 19 September for hearing.
