A 23-year-old fashion designer, Oyetola Mofunrayo, was on Thursday, June 15, arraigned before a Kado Grade I Area Court sitting in Abuja for allegedly absconding with friend’s N4 million on her birthday.

The police charged Mofunrayo of Ochacho Estate, Idu, Abuja, with criminal breach of trust, cheating and criminal misappropriation.

The fashion designer, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecution counsel, Stanley Nwafoaku, said on May 20 at about 4:30 p.m., a written petition by LEO Attorney Solicitor for the complainant Jennifer Ephraim against Oyetola Mofunrayo was received.

Nwafoaku alleged that on August 24, 2022, the complainant celebrated her birthday at Moscos Lounge Abuja and was gifted cash sum of N4 million.

He said the complianant gave the money which was in a nylon to her personal assistant, Mary John, and immediately ordered her to give it to the fashion designer for safekeeping.

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Nwafoaku stated that the following day, Ephraim called Mofunrayo to bring the money to her and she denied receiving any cash gift wrapped in nylon from the personal assistant.

He said during police investigation, the defendant admitted of being in possession of the personal assistant’s phone which was aslo in the nylon bag where the cash gift was kept.

Nwafoaku said that the offence contravene the provisions of sections 312, 322 and 309 of the Penal Code Law.

The defence counsel, Charity Nwosu, made an oral bail application, citing Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Section 158 of Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, assuring that the defendant would not jump bail, if granted.

Nwafoaku, however, did not object to the bail application made by the defense counsel.

The presiding judge, Muhammed Wakili, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N2 million and one surety in like sum.

Wakili ordered that the surety must provide a BVN print out, recent passport photograph, and a valid identification card, which must be verified by the court registrar.

The judge, therefore, adjourned the matter until July 10, 2023, for hearing.

The Star