Businessman lands in EFCC net over false information

A businessman, Rashid Huthman, who the Economic and Financial
Crimes Commission (EFCC) accused of providing false information to an
official of the commission has appeared in an Ikeja Special Offences
Court in Lagos.

The EFCC on Wednesday charged Huthman alongside his company, Complete
Leisure Estate Ltd with making false information to a public official.

The EFCC counsel, Mr Nkereuwem Anana, alleged that the accused
committed the offence between June 22, 2016 and Feb. 15, 2017 in Lagos.

“The defendant knowingly provided false information to Mr Dan Azibagiri, an EFCC officer in the course of duty.

“Huthman falsely stated that Alhaji Oyebanji Oreagba, a former
Director of Lands in Lagos State and the Director of Salgons Beverage
Ventures Ltd forged the signature of Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.

“The defendant claimed Oreagba forged Prof. Osinbajo’s signature who
was the then Attorney-General of Lagos to deprive him (Huthman) of his
land,” Anana said.

The prosecutor said that the offence contravened the provision of
Section 96 (a) and (b) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011.

Following Huthman’s plea of not guilty, his defence counsel, Mr Lawal
Pedro (SAN), prayed the court to grant his client bail on the most
liberal terms.

Obliging the request of the defence counsel, Justice Mojisola Dada
granted Huthman bail in the sum of N250,000 with two sureties in like
sum.

Justice Dada ordered that the defendant should perfect his bail in
two weeks else, the bail will be revoked and he will be remanded in
prison custody.

The case was adjourned until Dec. 11 at noon for trial.