The Lagos State Police Command arraigned a 35-year-old woman, Rukayya Dantata, on Tuesday for allegedly defrauding a Bureau de Change consulting firm of N350,900,000.
Dantata was charged with two counts of fraud, cheating, and obtaining money under false pretenses before the Ikeja Special Offences Court.
Prosecuting counsel, Ezekiel Rimamsomte, informed the court that Dantata committed the alleged offenses between July and August 2022. He stated that she fraudulently obtained N350,900,000, which was transferred to her Zenith Bank account (2082551256) and her firm, Adat Ventures’ account (1014937041), under the name Rukayya Saadina Dantata.
Rimamsomte added that she deceived her victims, including Saka Rasak of Rosiyike, and others from Financial Consultant Ltd., located at No. 50 Kingsway Building, Lagos, by falsely claiming to conduct legitimate business transactions.
He further noted that the offenses violated Section 1(a)(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act 2006, and Section 323 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.
Dantata pleaded not guilty to the charges. Her defense counsel, David Igbodo, requested bail, submitting an application dated August 30 and filed on September 4, 2024. Igbodo urged the court to grant bail on “the most liberal terms,” citing her cooperation with police and EFCC summons and her health challenges.
Igbodo also informed the court that Dantata’s husband, Alhaji Ismaih Singer, and Otunba Olutaye Ariyo were present to secure her bail.
The prosecutor did not oppose the bail application, leaving the decision to the court.
In a brief ruling, Justice Rahmon Oshodi granted Dantata bail of N30m, with two sureties of the same amount. The judge required both sureties to provide an affidavit of means and proof of three years’ tax payments to the Lagos State Government.
Additionally, Justice Oshodi ordered Dantata to surrender her passport and other travel documents to the court’s chief registrar, who was instructed to verify her home and office addresses. The case was adjourned to December 3, 2024, for trial.
