A Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the remand of Mrs. Tosin Olagunju, an official of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), at the Suleja Correctional Centre on Wednesday, pending her bail hearing on Oct. 9.
Justice Binta Nyako issued the remand order following Olagunju’s arraignment on a four-count charge, including false pretence with intent to defraud job seekers and criminal conspiracy.
Olagunju is accused of obtaining N12.4 million from job seekers under the false promise of securing employment in the NSCDC. She pleaded not guilty to all charges.
According to reports, while the Inspector-General of Police is the complainant, Olagunju is the sole defendant in the case marked FHC/ABJ/CR/183/2024.
After Olagunju entered her plea, prosecuting lawyer Princewill Eke requested a date for the trial to commence.
Olagunju’s lawyer, M. A. Oloniruka, informed the court that he had filed a bail application before the sitting began. However, Justice Nyako noted that the application was not yet in the court’s file and therefore not ready for hearing, rejecting Oloniruka’s oral request for bail.
Justice Nyako emphasized the necessity for all applications to be formal and in writing, stating, “This matter is adjourned till Oct. 9 for trial. The defendant should be remanded in Suleja Correctional Centre.”
In count one, Olagunju is accused of obtaining N12,400,000.00 between 2010 and 2023 by false pretence, claiming she could secure employment for individuals in the NSCDC, thereby defrauding them. This offense is punishable under Section 1(1)(c) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006, among other charges.
