Businessman remanded in prison over forgery

A Mararaba Grade 1 Area Court in Nasarawa State on Tuesday remanded a 37-year-old businessman, Nasiru Alidu, in prison over alleged forgery.

Alidu, who resides at Kudnawi Area of Mararaba, is facing a three-count charge of criminal breach of trust, forgery and cheating.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The prosecutor, Cpl. Friday Adaji, objected to bail for the accused on the grounds that investigation into the case was still going on.

“It will take time to investigate this matter and letting the accused go on bail may lead to impeding the investigation,” Adaji said.

The judge, Mr Albert Maga, upheld the prosecution’s objection and ordered that Alidu be remanded in prison.

“The accused is to be remanded in prison and the case is adjourned till Jan. 18,” Maga said.

The prosecutor had earlier told the court that one Mohammed Hassan of Aku Village, Mararaba, reported the matter at the ‘A’ Divisional Police Station on Jan. 18.

Adaji alleged that on Dec. 16, 2014, the complainant bought a plot of land located at New Orange Market, Mararaba, from the accused at the rate of N500,000.

“The complainant gave the accused the sum of N350,000 with N20,000 as agent fee and promised to pay a balance N150,000.

“ The accused wrote a letter of agreement for sale of the land to the complainant.

“On Jan. 6, Hassan called the accused in order to pay the balance to enable him commence work on the land, but discovered that the said land did not belong to the accused.

“The complainant noticed that the said land which the accused sold to him belongs to one Asp. Jibril Mohammed of Nigeria Police, Logo Division, Benue State Command,” Adaji added.

The prosecutor said that the offence contravened sections 312, 364 and 322 of the Penal Code.

If convicted, the accused could spend up to 10 years in prison. (NAN)