The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has dragged Suleiman Bala Datti before Justice Mohammed Tukur of the State High Court, sitting in Kaduna on a one-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust and misappropriation of funds.
The plaintiff, Isa Bello of Dudu Motors, Kaduna in a petition, dated November 11, 2017 alleged that he entered into an agreement with the suspect on October 8, 2013, wherein the suspect will supply his auto company a Mercedes Benz ML350 (2012 model), to be imported from the United State of America, valued at $USD28,000 (Twenty Eight Thousand Dollars).
According to Bello, while he has since paid the stated amount the defendant has refused to supply the car or return his money despite several demands.
The charge reads: “That you Suleiman Bala Datti sometime in February, 2013 in Kaduna within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, entrusted with the sum of $28,000.00 (Twenty Eight Thousand USD) by one Isa Bello to purchase a vehicle, a Mercedes Benz ML350 2012 Model which you claimed you would buy from the United States of America, converted the said sum to your own use and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 311 of Penal Code Law of Kaduna State 1991 and punishable under Section 312 of the same Law.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.
In view of his plea, prosecution counsel Jamil Musa asked the court to fix a date for commencement of trial and for the defendant be remanded in prison custody, pending trial.
The defence counsel A.A. Ashat, however, made an oral bail application for Datti’s release which Musa objected on the ground that the offence is criminal in nature which carries a maximum of seven years imprisonment.
Justice Tukur granted bail to the defendant in the sum of N5million (Five Million Naira) with one surety in like sum, who must be a blood relation or close friend and must own a landed property within the jurisdiction of the court.
He adjourned the matter to October 25, 2019.