A 41-year-old driver, Arinze James, was on Thursday arraigned before a Life Camp Chief Magistrates’ Court in Abuja for allegedly swindling his client of N650,000.
Mr James, who resides in Karmo, Abuja, is facing a two-count charge of criminal breach of trust and cheating.
The prosecutor, Charity Nwachukwu, told the court that the complainant, Olaposi Olaniyan of Apo Resettlement, Abuja, reported the matter at the Karmo Police Station on November 5, 2025.
Mrs Nwachukwu said the defendant committed the offences in February 2025 in Abuja.
She told the court that the complainant entrusted the defendant with the sum of N650,000 to enable him establish a block industry business on his behalf.
According to the prosecutor, the defendant collected the money but failed to establish the business as agreed and stopped responding to the complainant’s calls.
She added that the defendant converted the money to his personal use without the complainant’s consent and absconded to an unknown destination.
Mrs Nwachukwu said the defendant was later tracked and arrested, adding that efforts made to recover the money proved abortive.
The prosecutor said the offences contravened Sections 312 and 322 of the Penal Code.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Chief Magistrate, Musa Jobbo, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N200,000 with one surety in like sum.
Mr Jobbo ordered that the surety must be employed in a reputable organisation and reside within the court’s jurisdiction.
The case was adjourned until April 1 for hearing.
(NAN)