By Akin Kuponiyi
A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has adjourned the trial of Lagos currency dealer Munzali Shehu Maigari, 47, until January 14, 2025.
Maigari is accused of defrauding customers of N62.4 million.
According to a four-count charge filed by the police, Superintendent of Police Omo-Osagie M.A. alleged that Maigari and an accomplice, Musa Jamilu, now at large, posed as currency dealers specialising in foreign exchange transactions.
On September 9, 2023, they allegedly conspired to commit fraud, obtaining money under false pretences and stealing, in violation of Section 516A of the Criminal Code.
The charge sheet states that Maigari and Jamilu fraudulently obtained N62.4 million (equivalent to ¥480,000) from Alhaji Isiaka Hassan of Festac Town, Lagos.
Hassan had transferred this sum to a Chinese bank account, purportedly for onward remittance via account number 15491101040048847, held by Mangeshan Honghu Automobile Trading Co. Ltd.
SP Omo-Osagie further alleged that Maigari and Jamilu converted the funds to their own use instead of remitting it as intended, committing an offence under Section 390(9) of the Criminal Code, Cap C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The presiding judge, Justice Akintayo Aluko, set January 14, 2025, as the date for the continuation of the trial.
