Ex-convict accused of duping bailer, others of N1.7m

A convict, who was detained at the Suleja prison in Niger State and later released after paying the fine option, has been arraigned again two weeks for allegedly duping his bailer.

He was charged with criminal breach of trust, cheating and impersonation, contrary to sections 312, 322, and 364 of the penal code.

George Edward, 40, is said to have duped the person who claimed to have assisted him pay the fine and two other persons to the tune of N1,747,000, a magistrate’s court heard.

The police prosecutor, Jonathan Garba, told the court that a woman pastor, who is one of the complainants, reported at the Suleja police division on March 20 that while on a church outreach to the Suleja prison, the accused person sought for her assistance in order to meet his bail condition, and that thereafter she accommodated him at her home out of sympathy.

The prosecutor said the accused person lied to his host that he was a medical doctor working with a government hospital in Abuja and also duped her along with two others to the tune of N1.7 million with a promised to use the money and secure international passports for her and the other two persons.

“You have failed to do so and converted the money to your own use,” the prosecutor said.

“During police investigation, it was also discovered that you are not a medical doctor,” he said.

Responding, the accused person denied the allegation and sought for bail, which the prosecutor objected to, citing the nature of the case and that the accused person did not have a fix address.

Magistrate Maryam Jibo turned down the bail request by the accused and ordered for his remand in prison custody.

The case was adjourned to April 25 for hearing.