An Indian national was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for alleged fraud in Lagos.

Justice I.O. arraigned Chandra Singh. Ijelu, a judge of the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja (Lagos).

Singh was charged on Thursday, Nov. 24 on 19 counts, charges bordering on alleged retention of stolen property and bribery to the tune of N816,361,386.75.

According to a statement made by Head Media and Publicity Wilson Uwujaren of EFCC, the alleged offenses are in violation of Sections 328 and 401 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011 and Section 83 of Lagos State's Criminal Law 2011.

It is also claimed that the defendant stole $4,150 from African Natural Resources and Mines Limited.

He pleaded "not guilty" to all the counts.

Some of the counts read: "That Chandra Prankash Singh, on or before 1st of January, 2021, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, whilst in the employment of African Natural Resources and Mines Limited, solicited indirectly to confer an undue advantage for your company, CVN Engineering 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, on or before 1st of January, 2021, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, whilst in the employment of African Natural Resources and Mines Limited, solicited indirectly to confer an undue advantage for your company, Neo Paints Nigeria Limited, in order that you influence your employee to award the supply of items costing N243,141,638.75 to Neo Paints Nigeria Limited."

Sequel to his no-guilty plea, the prosecution Counsel, Bilikisu Buhari, prayed the court to remand the defendant to the Correctional Centre.

"We are also ready to open trial and have witnesses in court," the statement quoted the Counsel to have said.

The defense counsel, Hassan Olanrewaju, however, informed the court of the bail application for his client and requested a short adjournment to enable him to prepare for the trial.

"I was only served with the amended information and proof of evidence this morning in court, and it will only be fair to be given time to prepare," he said.

Consequently, Justice Ijelu adjourned till November 30, 2022 for the hearing of the bail application and commencement of trial.

The judge also ordered that the defendant be remanded in the Ikoyi Correctional facility.