An Indian national, Lokesh Parwani, who allegedly attempted to commit suicide after his arrest for alleged N116 million fraud, was arraigned at Igbosere Chief Magistrate’s Court, Lagos on Thursday.
Parwani, who is the personnel manager of a Lagos-based Indian-owned firm, was arraigned by the Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department (Force CIID), Annex, Alagbon-Ikoyi, Lagos on a three-count charge of conspiracy, fraud and attempted suicide.
The suspect, according to the police, attempted to kill himself by with rat killer called ‘super kill action ready bait cake’ after the arrest.
Counsel for the police, Mr. Morufu Animashaun told the court that Parwani and his accomplices, who are on the run, conspired and defrauded his employer of N116 million on July 19, 2019 at Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.
He said the defendant’s employer reported the fraud to the police which, after investigation, confronted Parwani with the allegations on July 26.
The prosecutor said the offences contravene sections 411, 280(1) and 235 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 and are punishable under sections 287 and 407 of the same law.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Subsequently, Animashaun prayed the court to remand Parwani in prison custody pending trial.
But the defendant’s lawyers, Mr. Gani Oyerevuegbe and Mustapha Danisi, opposed the remand application.
They said Parwani had no criminal record and applied for his bail “on the most liberal terms.”
They said they would ensure the appearance of the accused in court for trial.
In his ruling, the chief magistrate, Mrs. K. K. Awoyinka granted the defendant N1 million bail with two sureties in the like sum, one of whom must be a civil servant not below grade level 10 in the Lagos State civil service.
Both sureties, the magistrate added, must be residents of Lagos State and must provide evidence of three years tax payment, “payable to the state government.
“Each surety must furnish the court with account statements with a standing balance of N1.5 million and two recent passport photographs. The defendant should deposit his international passport with the court’s chief registrar.”
She also ordered the prosecution to verify compliance with the bail terms.
Awoyinka remanded Parwani in prison custody pending fulfillment of the bail terms and adjourned till September 2, for trial.
