Auctioneers of Kaduna textiles in court over N43m fraud

Four auctioneers of the Kaduna Textile Limited (KTL) have been sued at a Chief Magistrate’s Court for allegedly defrauding Prostrux Nigeria Limited of N43 million.

The accused persons, Alhaji Salisu Cheza, Aminu Abdullahi, Ibrahim Yahaya Ibrahim and Usman Tahir are members of the National Trustee, Nigeria Association of Auctioneers, North-West zone. They were also members of a committee constituted to sell off scrap of KTL.

When the case came up for mention yesterday, the prosecutor, Inspector Kantoma, informed the court that sometimes in May 2015, the police received a complaint from one Mr. Michael Akanisi who is also the chairman of Prostrux Nigeria Limited that the accused persons through whom he bought some scrap machines prevented him from moving the goods. He also said the accused threatened to deal with him if he showed up at the premises.

The prosecutor further informed the court that the alleged transaction which is worth over N43 million was made in August 2014, between the complainant and accused persons, led by Alhaji Salisu Cheza, who owns the firm that sell scraps to the public on behalf of the Kaduna Textile Limited (KTL).

The prosecutor further alleged that on many occasions, the complainant was embarrassed by agents of the accused persons.

Meanwhile, counsel to the complainant, Barrister Fred Oviasojie, has filed an application with suit number KMP14\5\2014 for issuance of direct summons by the Chief Magistrate on the accused person/ persons in the case.

Three of the accused persons who appeared before the court pleaded not guilty to the charges and were granted bail in the sum of N500,000 each and a surety each in like sum.

Chief Magistrate Auwal Aliyu adjourned the two cases to June 15 and 22, 2015.