A banker, Obinna Ezenwaka, who allegedly defrauded a businessman to the tune of 93, 000 US dollars, was on Monday arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.

Ezenwaka, whose address was not given, is standing trial on a five-count charge of conspiracy, stealing, fraud, forgery and issuing of dud cheque.

The prosecutor, Sgt. Cyracus Osuji, told the court that the accused committed the alleged offences on Aug. 1, in Lagos.

He said that the accused conspired with one, still at large and obtained the sum of 93, 000 US dollars from one Mr Dominic Nwibo, under the guise of transferring the said money to Nwibo’s business partners and suppliers in China.

Osuji said that the accused knew that the representation he made to Nwibo was false.

According to the prosecutor, the accused forged a telex message which was to show that a transfer of the said 93, 000 US dollars was made to China, “just to convince the complainant, when no actual transfer was made”.

He also said that the accused issued a Diamond Bank cheque of N33.3 m, the naira equivalent of the said money, but the cheque was dishonoured on presentation due to insufficient funds.

Osuji , however, said that the accused stole the said money, and that the offences contravened Sections 285, 312 (a), 319, 363 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the five-count charge preferred against him.

The Magistrate, Mrs O. M. Ajayi, admitted him to bail in the sum of N1m, with two sureties in like sum.

She said that the sureties must be gainfully employed, show evidence of tax payments to the Lagos State Governments and have their addresses verified by the court.

Magistrate Ajayi adjourned the case till Jan. 12, for mention.