The Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday, November 24, 2022 , arraigned one Chandra Singh before Justice I.O. Ijelu of the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos on a 19-count charge bordering on alleged retention of stolen property and bribery to the tune of N816,361,386.75.
.jpg "Indian man Chandra Singh")
The alleged offences are contrary to Section 328 and 411 of
the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011, and Section 83 of the criminal law of
Lagos State 2011.
One of the counts reads: "That Chandra Prankash Singh,
on or before 1st of January, 2021, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable
Court, whilst in the employment of African Natural Resources and Mines Limited,
solicited indirectly to confer undue advantage for your company, CVN
Engineering Limited, in order that you influence your employee to award the
supply of items costing N365,757,457.00 to CVN Engineering Limited."
Another count reads: "That Chandra Prankash Singh, on
or before 1st of January, 2021, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable
Court, whilst in the employment of African Natural Resources and Mines Limited,
solicited indirectly to confer undue advantage for your company, Neo Paints
Nigeria Limited, in order that you influence your employee to award the supply
of items costing N243,141,638.75 to Neo Paints Nigeria Limited."
He is also alleged to have dishonestly retained the sum of
$4,150 belonging to African Natural Resources and Mines Limited.
He pleaded "not guilty" to all the counts.
In view of his plea, the prosecuting counsel, Bilikisu
Buhari, prayed the court to remand the defendant at the Correctional Centre.
"We are also ready to open trial and have witnesses in
court," she said.
The defence counsel, Hassan Olanrewaju, however, informed
the court of the bail application for his client, and requested a short
adjournment to enable him prepare for the trial.
"I was only served with the amended information and
proof of evidence this morning in court, and it will only be fair to be given
time to prepare, " he said.
Consequently, Justice Ijelu adjourned till November 30, 2022
for hearing of the bail application and commencement of trial.
The Judge also ordered that the defendant be remanded in the Ikoyi Correctional facility.