Indian Detained by EFFC Over N816 Million Fraud in Lagos
Chandra Singh, an Indian, was charged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday with committing a N816 million scam before an Ikeja Special Offenses Court.
The defendant, while working for African Natural Resources and Mines Ltd on or before January 1, 2021, solicited indirectly to give his company, CVN Engineering Ltd, an unfair advantage so that he could persuade his employee to award a supply worth N365m to CVN Engineering Ltd., according to the EFCC counsel, Mrs. Bilikisu Buhari.
The anti-graft agency also claimed that the defendant engaged in indirect solicitation to give his company, Neo Paints Nigeria Ltd, an unfair advantage so that he could persuade one of his employees to award Neo Paints Nigeria Ltd a supply worth N451m.
Additionally, the prosecution claimed that the defendant deceitfully kept $4,150 USD that belonged to African Natural Resources and Mines Ltd.
He entered a “not guilty” plea to each charge.
Some of the counts state that Chandra Prankash Singh “solicited indirectly to confer an undue advantage on your company, CVN Engineering Limited, on or before January 1, 2021, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, while in the employment of African Natural Resources and Mines Limited, in order that you influence your employee to award the supply of items costing N365,757,457.00 to CVN Engineering Limited.”
“That Chandra Prankash Singh solicited indirectly to confer an unfair advantage on your company, Neo Paints Nigeria Limited, on or before January 1, 2021, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, while employed by African Natural Resources and Mines Limited, in order that you influence your employee to award the supply of goods worth N243,141,638.75 to Neo Paints Nigeria Limited.”
After the defendant entered a plea of not guilty, the prosecution’s attorney, Bilikisu Buhari, asked the court to remand the defendant to the Correctional Facility.
The statement reported the Counsel as saying, “We are also prepared to begin trial and have witnesses in court.”
However, Hassan Olanrewaju, the defense attorney, informed the court of his client’s bail application and asked for a brief adjournment so he could get ready for the trial.
“It will only be fair to be given time to prepare,” he said, “and I was only served with the amended information and proof of evidence this morning in court.”
As a result, Justice Ijelu postponed the hearing on the bail application and the start of the trial until November 30, 2022.
The defendant was also mandated to remain on remand at the Ikoyi Correctional facility by the judge.
