A 40-year-old trader, Ahmed Haruna, on Thursday appeared before the Kaduna High Court over alleged N14 million rice supply fraud.

Mr Haruna is standing trial on a one-count charge bordering on fraud, preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Kaduna Zonal Directorate.

The prosecution counsel, K.C. James, told the court that sometime in 2025 in Kaduna, the defendant received N14 million from Aminu Abdulrahman to supply rice, which he allegedly failed to deliver.

Mr James submitted that the defendant converted the money to his personal use and that all efforts made by the complainant to recover the money failed.

According to the prosecutor, the alleged offence contravenes Section 308 of the Penal Code of Kaduna State, 2017, which prescribes a term of imprisonment of up to five years upon conviction.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

In his ruling, the judge, Justice Darius Khobo, admitted the defendant to bail of N1 million, with two sureties in like sum.

Mr Khobo held that the sureties must reside within the jurisdiction of the court and provide evidence of three years’ tax payments to the Kaduna government.

The judge further directed that one of the sureties must be a blood relation of the defendant.

The case was adjourned until May 30 for hearing. 

(NAN)