Nigeria's Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had on November 24, arraigned Singh before Justice Ijelu on a 19-count charge bordering on retention of stolen property and bribery.
The trial of an Indian national, Chandra Singh, for an alleged N816,361,386.75 fraud before Justice I. O. Ijelu of the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos State, was stalled on Thursday, due to the absence of the defence counsel, Hassan Olanrewaju.
Nigeria's Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had on November 24, arraigned Singh before Justice Ijelu on a 19-count charge bordering on retention of stolen property and bribery.
The alleged offences, according to a statement by EFCC's Head Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, are contrary to Section 328 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011, and Section 83 of the criminal law of Lagos State 2011.
The defendant is also alleged to have dishonestly retained the sum of $4,150 belonging to the African Natural Resources and Mines Limited.
He pleaded "not guilty" to all the counts.
Some of the counts read, "That Chandra Prankash Singh, on or before 1st of January, 2021, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, whilst in the employment of African Natural Resources and Mines Limited, solicited indirectly to confer undue advantage for your company, CVN Engineering Limited, in order that you influence your employee to award the supply of items costing N365,757,457.00 to CVN Engineering Limited."
"That Chandra Prankash Singh, on or before 1st of January, 2021, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, whilst in the employment of African Natural Resources and Mines Limited, solicited indirectly to confer undue advantage for your company, Neo Paints Nigeria Limited, in order that you influence your employee to award the supply of items costing N243,141,638.75 to Neo Paints Nigeria Limited."
SaharaReporters had reported that sequel to his no guilty plea, the prosecution Counsel, Bilikisu Buhari, prayed the court to remand the defendant at the Correctional Centre.
He subsequently, moved for his trial adding, "My Lord, we are ready to open trial and have witnesses in court."
The defence counsel, Hassan Olanrewaju, had informed the court of the bail application for his client and requested a short adjournment to enable him prepare for the trial.
"I was only served with the amended information and proof of evidence this morning in court, and it will only be fair to be given time to prepare," he said.
The trial judge, Justice Ijelu, had adjourned the case till November 30, 2022 for hearing of the bail application and commencement of trial.
The judge also ordered that the defendant be remanded in the Ikoyi Correctional facility.