Justice Rahman Oshodi of an Ikeja Special offences court, Lagos, has discharged a businesswoman, Rukayyat Dantata, of criminal charge of N350 million fraud brought against her by the Force Criminal Investigation Department (ForceCID) Annex, Alagbon, Ikoyi, Lagos.
Rukayyat was discharged by the court on Tuesday, following an application for discountinuace filed by one R. N. Maiguru on behalf of the Inspector-General of Police but moved by Barrister Morufu Animashaun, a legal officer at the Prosecution and Legal department of the ForceCID, Ikoyi, Lagos.
The businesswoman, Rukayya Dantata was arraigned before the court on September 15, 2024, for allegedly defrauding a Bureau de Change (BDC) consulting firm of N350 million through her company, Adat Ventures.
She was arraigned on a two count-charge of cheating and obtaining money under false pretences.
The offences according to the Prosecution, contravened Section 1(a)(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act of 2006 and Section 323 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.
She had pleaded not guilty to the charges, and the trial judge, Justice Oshodi admitted her to bail of N30 million, requiring two sureties in the same amount.
The judge also ordered the two sureties provide an affidavit of means and evidence of three years’ tax payments to the Lagos State Government.
She was also ordered to deposit her passport and other travel documents with the court’s Chief Registrar, who is to verify her home and office addresses.
At the resumed trial of the Businesswoman today, Barrister Animashaun, informed the court that sequel to the notice of discountinuace filed by Maiguru, attached to Legal/Prosecution Section Force Headquarters, is being directed by the Commissioner of Police uncharged of the department, to discontinue the charge against the defendant
He therefore urged the court to strike out the charge against the defendant.
Speaking on the prosecutor’s application, Dantata’s counsel, Dr. Muiz Banire (SAN), who appeared alongside D. Igbodo, told the court that he has no objections to the application.
However, counsel to the nominal complianant in the charge, Barrister Genesis Bandodo, protested against the striking out of the charge.
Bandodo, while applied to court for an adjournment, said that his client had petition the police foe compromising on the matter. He therefore asked the court for one more adjournment, before ruling on the prosecutor’s application to withdraw the charge against the defendant.
In response to the nominal complianant’s counsel, Dr. Banire (SAN) informed the court that the petition referred to by the counsel had dismissed by the police authority.
Ruling on the parties’ submissions, Justice Oshodi, held that: “By the concession of the parties, the case is struck out.”
The judge further held that since the defendant’s arraignment, no witness has testified in the matter. Adding that the prosecution have legal rights by Section 71 of the Administration of the Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State, 2015, to withdraw the case.
Consequently, the Judge strike out the charge against the businesswoman, and equally discharged her of the allegations.
The judge also discharged all her sureties and instruments used in securing her bail. While also ordered that her traveling passport be released to her.
