NSCDC official remanded in Abuja correctional centre for N12.4m employment scam

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered that an official of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Mrs. Tosin Comfort Olagunju be remanded in Suleja prison (Niger State) pending the hearing of her bail application scheduled for October 9.

Justice Binta Nyako issued the order for Mrs. Olagunju’s remand in prison on Wednesday after she was arraigned on four charges bordering on obtaining N12,400,000.00 from job seekers under false pretence, with the promise that she had the capacity to secure them employment in the NSCDC.

Olagunju pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to her.

Shortly after the defendant’s plea, prosecuting lawyer, Princewill Eke applied for a date for the commencement of trial.

Defence lawyer, M. A. Oloniruka told the court that he just filed a bail application shortly before the court commenced sitting.

Upon being told by the judge that the application was not in the court’s file and therefore was not ripe for hearing, Oloniruka sought to apply orally for his client’s bail.

Justice Nyako equally rejected the defence lawyer,s request to be allowed to apply orally for bail, noting that the court being a court of record, all application must be formal and in writing.

“This matter is adjourned till October 9 for trial. The defendant should be remanded in Suleja correctional centre,” Justice Nyako said.

The charges against Olagunju reads partly, “That you Olagunju Comfort (f) of Karu Site, Abuja,  sometime between the your 2020 to 2023 within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did conspire with others to commit an office to wit: criminal conspiracy thereby commit an offense punishable under Section 97(1) of the Panel Code Act, 2004.”

“That you Olagunju Comfort (f) of Karu Site, Abuja sometime between the year 2010 and 2023 fraudulently and dishonestly induced some Nigerians to part with the sum of N12,400,000.00 am dtyereby cheating them of the said sum and causing damage to them and thereby commit an offense contrary to section 320 and punishable under section 322 of the Penal Code Act 2004.”