‘I used client’s money for my mum’s medical bills’

Written by Abdulkadir Y. Abdullahi & Uduak Etukudo Thursday, 23 June 2011 00:00

A staff of one of the co-operative societies in the Federal Capital Territory yesterday confessed to using N978,000 belonging to a customer to pay for her mother’s medical bills, who later died.

Mrs. Philomina Iruobe, a resident of Kuje, Abuja, was convicted for criminal breach of trust and cheating, offences contrary to Sections 312 and 320 of the Penal Code.

Police prosecutor, Ibeto Patrick, stated in court that on May 12, one Asugwa Festus of Shop 446, Wuse Market, reported to the police that on November 3, 2009, he gave the accused N1,464,000 as his yearly contribution to deposit in a co-operative society where she works but she refused to pay the money into his account with the bank.

He said almost N499,000 was recovered from the accused during police investigations.

When the charges were read to the accused, she pleaded guilty and confessed that she actually used part of the money to attend to her mother’s failing health, before she died.

Chief Magistrate Hadiza Dodo sentenced the accused to two months imprisonment or to pay N10,000 as fine.

The magistrate also ordered the accused to pay the balance of N978,000 to the complainant.

In another case, the police yesterday arraigned a 21-year-old football manager, Francis Ogadinma, for allegedly duping one Bitrus Taya Waziri of N72,000.

Francis was charged with joint acts, criminal breach of trust and cheating, offences contrary to Sections 79 and 311 of the Penal Code.

Police prosecutor, Glory Iheanacho, stated in court that Bitrus, the complainant reported at Jikwoyi Police Station that the accused and one Benjamin Jacob, now at large, collected N72,000 from him to register him for an international football club based in the United Kingdom.

She said the accused failed to register the club as well as return the money to the complainant, adding that he paid the said money into the account of the second accused person who is now at large.

When the charges were read to the accused, he pleaded not guilty and requested for bail, while the prosecutor asked for a hearing date.

Magistrate Chinyere Nwacheonwu granted the accused bail in the sum of N100,000 with a surety in like sum, who must reside within the court’s jurisdiction.

The case was adjourned to July 14 for hearing.