The federal government Thursday arraigned one Mohammed Buhari over his alleged complicity in N7.5million Abuja land fraud.
The defendant who appeared before Justice Yusuf Halilu of a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting at Maitama has since been remanded in Suleja prison after he pleaded not guilty to a one-count charge preferred against him.
His remand followed an application that was made by government lawyer, Aisha Ibrahim.
Ibrahim while making her argument further urged the court to keep the Defendant in custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service, NCS, pending the hearing and determination of his request for bail.
Meanwhile, a mild drama played out in the courtroom when the Judge, Justice Halilu jokingly inquired if it was President Muhammadu Buhari, when the name was mentioned.
“I hope it is not President Muhammadu Buhari that you are planning to arraign before me today”, the judge’s statement drew deafening laughter in the courtroom.
In his response, the lead defence counsel was quoted as saying; “My lord will even be surprised to know that the name of the prosecution counsel in this matter is Aisha”,
The federal government in the charge dated June 15, alleged that Buhari had on or about November 5, 2018, by false pretence, collected N7.5m from someone, pretending that he was the owner of a parcel of land situated at Sabon Lugbe in Abuja.
The prosecution told the court that the Defendant received payment for the land through his bank account No. 0144380537.
He was said to have by his action, committed an offence contrary to section 1(1) (a) of the Advanced Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, and punishable under section 1(3) of the same Act.
The defendant however pleaded not guilty to the charge, his lawyer, Chukwudi Poli, subsequently prayed the court to hear his bail application which was filed shortly before his arraignment.
Poli anchored his prayer on the fact that the court would soon embark on its annual vacation.
“This is why I am begging the court”, Poli submitted just before the trial Judge interjected and ordered him to sit down.
“Counsel please sit down! the Judge interjected saying, this is not a court for begging”,
Aisha took the floor and told the court that she would need time to respond to the Defendant’s bail application which according to her was not ripe for hearing.
“My Lord, I have gone through the bail application. There will be a need for us to respond to it. We will need to look into some facts deposed to in the application and respond accordingly”, Aisha insisted.
After hearing out the parties, Justice Halilu adjourned the matter till October 4 and ordered that the Defendant be remanded in prison custody.