Woman arraigned for allegedly defrauding firm of N350m

The Lagos State Police Command, on Tuesday, arraigned a 35-year-old woman, Rukayya Dantata, for allegedly defrauding a Bureau de Change consulting firm of N350,900,000.

Dantata was arraigned on two counts of fraud, cheating, and obtaining money under false pretences before the Ikeja Special Offences Court.

The prosecuting counsel, Ezekiel Rimamsomte, told the court that Dantata committed the alleged offences between July and August 2022.

He said the defendant obtained N350,900,000 by fraudulent means, which was transferred into her Zenith Bank account, 2082551256, and her firm, Adat Ventures’ account, 1014937041, under the name, Rukayya Saadina Dantata.

Rimamsomte added that Dantata deceived her victims, Saka Rasak of Rosiyike, and others of Financial Consultant Ltd, located at No. 50 Kingsway Building, Lagos, by pretending to conduct legitimate business transactions.

According to him, the offences committed contravened Section 1(a)(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act 2006, and Section 323 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.

Dantata, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against her.

Her defence counsel, David Igbodo, requested bail for his client,  submitting a bail application dated August 30, which was filed on  September 4, 2024.

Igbodo urged the court to grant the defendant bail under “the most liberal terms,” stating, “The defendant has complied with all police and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission summons and has not jumped bail, despite her health challenges.”

He further informed the court that Dantata’s husband, Alhaji Ismaih Singer, and one Otunba Olutaye Ariyo were present in court to secure her bail.

The prosecutor did not oppose the bail application and left the decision to the court’s discretion.

In a short ruling, Justice Rahmon Oshodi granted Dantata bail of N30m, with two sureties in like sum.

The judge stipulated, “Both sureties must provide an affidavit of means and evidence of three years’ tax payments to the Lagos State Government.”

Justice Oshodi also ordered Dantata to deposit her passport and other travel documents to the court’s chief registrar, adding that the registrar must verify both her home and office addresses.

The case was adjourned to  December 3, 2024, for trial.