Macmillan Nigerian Publishers Limited was today arraigned before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Ikeja Special Offences Court, Lagos State, Nigeria, over alleged fraud to the tune of $156, 711. 87 USD.
The book publishing company was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
Others arraigned alongside the book publishing company are; Fasasi Bola and a Professor, Adesanya Iyiola Adelekan, who was said to be at large, on an amended six count-charge of obtaining goods by false pretence.
According to the charge, “Macmillan Nigerian Publishers, Professor Adesanya Iyiola Adelekan (now at large) and Fasasi Bola, sometimes in 2018 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired amongst yourselves to obtain goods by false pretence, property of BHS book Printing SDN BHD of Selangor Malaysia.”
Count one states that “Macmillan Nigerian Publishers, Professor Adesanya Iyiola Adelekan (now at large) and Fasasi Bola, sometimes in 2018 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, obtained books for sale worth $156,711.87 by false pretence from BHS book Printing SDN BHD of Selangor Malaysia. Under the pretence that you would sell the books and remit the money from the sales within two weeks of receiving the Bill of Lading, which pretence you knew or ought to know is false.”
But the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge, prompting the prosecution, led by Ayanfeoluwa Ogunsina, to pray the court for a trial date and the remand of the defendant at a Correctional Centre.
Justice Dada while adjourning the matter till 8 July 2022, for further hearing, ordered that Fasasi Bola, be remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS).
