Photo: Defendants
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday arraigned Naankang Dawam, his companies: Taen Nigeria Ltd and Lataen Engineering Ltd, alongside an alleged accomplice, Moruf Tunji Olukanmi before Justice D. V Agishi of the Federal High Court, Jos.
The accused were arraigned on a 31-count charge bordering on conspiracy, money laundering and obtaining N908, 108, 974.52 (Nine Hundred and Eight Million, One Hundred and Eight Thousand, Nine Hundred and Seventy Four Naira and Fifty Two Kobo) by false pretence.
Naankang Dawam (first defendant), who allegedly inherited some companies, including a petrol station from his family, allegedly connived with some staff of First Bank, including Moruf Tunji Olukanmi (fourth defendant), to defraud customers using a Point of Sale (POS) terminal allocated to him.
Count two of the charge reads:
“That you, Naankang Dawam being the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Taen Nigeria Limited, LaTaen Nigeria Limited, Doyin Adesanya (at Large), Samuel Temitope Falese (at large), Ebenezer Oni Kehinde (at large) and Mariam Babatunde Olabisi (at large) between October 2017 to November 2017 within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, with intent to defraud, manipulated First Bank of Nigeria Plc Point of Sale (POS) terminal issued to Taen Nigeria Limited, and by so doing, fraudulently credited Taen Nigeria Limited Account Number: 2025956973 domiciled with First Bank Nigeria Plc with the sum of N908,108,974.52 (Nine Hundred and Eight Million, One Hundred and Eight Thousand , Nine Hundred and Seventy Four Naira and Fifty Two kobo) only and thereby committed an offense contrary to Section 30(1) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015”.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to all the charges and based on their pleas, the prosecution counsel, Benjamin Manji asked for a trial date and that the suspects be remanded at the Jos Correctional Centre, pending trial.
But defence counsel, A.G Yirvoms informed the Court of a pending application for the bail of his clients.
Justice Agishi adjourned the case till July 26, 2021 for consideration of the bail application and fixed October 6, 2021 for the commencement of their trial.
