A 46-year-old man, Walid Zeidan, who allegedly forged document and stole the sum of N16,786,500, was yesterday arraigned before a Lagos High Court sitting at Tafawa Balewa Square.
The defendant is facing a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, forgery, fraudulent representation, false pretence and stealing preferred against him by the Police.
Zeidan whose residential address was not mentioned, was docked before Justice Yetunde Adesanya.
The prosecuting counsel, Mr Tijani Williams, told the court that the defendant and others, who are still at large, conspired amongst themselves to commit the offence.
He said that Zeidan, between 2018 and 2019, allegedly stole the sum of N16,786,500, property of ICELL Integrated Service Ltd.
Williams, told the court that the defendant on or about June 23, 2019, procured an execution of document by false pretence.
He said, “On or about June 23, 2019, the Zeidan did by means of false and fraudulent representation did procure Habeebee Enterprises to sign or execute tenancy agreement in your favour.”
The prosecutor also alleged that the defendant sometime in the year 2018, stole one NISSAN AMADA, SUV Jeep, worth N6million, property of ICELL Integrated Service Ltd.
According to the prosecutor, the offences committed are punishable under Sections 411, 287 and 369, of the criminal law of Lagos State 2015.
However, the defendant pleaded not guilty to all the four counts, in view of his plea, the prosecutor, urged the court to remand the defendant in prison custody.
But the defendant counsel, Mr Chuks Okeugiri, informed the court of a pending bail application and the prosecutor confirmed service of the bail application.
The defence counsel showed him and the court proof of service but the prosecutor told the court that he intends to file a counter affidavit, according to him the defendant is a flight risk. After, the court confirmed the proof of service in its file and noted that the offences are bailable, the court refused the application to remand the defendant in prison because the prisons are congested.
Defence counsel Okeugiri undertook to ensure he continues to appear pending the hearing of the bail application in the next adjourned date.
The bail application was adjourned till April 25, 26, 27 and May 3, 4 and 5, 2022, to enable the prosecutor file his counter affidavit. The court made no pronouncement on the bail.
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