A 47-year-old man, Erivona Yoma has been arraigned before the Yaba Magistrate Court in Lagos, accused of defrauding Pally Agro Nigeria Limited of N20 million.
The charges, presented by police prosecutor Rita Momoh, encompassed conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence, and stealing, citing Sections 411, 314(B), and 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, Nigeria 2015.
Momoh stated, “The defendant committed the offence sometime in 2021 and had since been on the run.” She continued, “The charges read, ‘That you, Erivona Great Yoma, and others at large, sometime in 2021 in Lagos State, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did conspire among yourselves to commit felony…’”
Yoma allegedly misled Pally Agro, assuring them of supplying planting materials and soya beans while diverting the funds for personal gain. Despite being on the run, Yoma pleaded not guilty when the charges were formally presented.
Magistrate Adeola Olatunbosun, after Yoma’s plea, remarked, “I grant the defendant bail in the sum of N10m with three responsible sureties in like sum.” She specified, “One of the sureties must be a landowner in Lagos State, and the court must verify all sureties’ documents.”
The next court appearance for this case is scheduled for April 15, 2024.
