Fraud allegations have landed a poultry farmer before a Dutse Magistrates’ Court in Abuja over claims that he diverted N17 million allegedly entrusted to him by his uncle for a poultry farm investment.
A poultry farmer, Emeka Ogbonna, has been arraigned before a Magistrates’ Court in Abuja over allegations that he diverted ₦17 million allegedly entrusted to him by his uncle for the establishment of a poultry farm.
Ogbonna, who resides in Niger State, is facing charges bordering on criminal breach of trust, misappropriation and cheating.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges when he was arraigned before the court.
The prosecuting counsel, Otobha Okpa, told the court that the complainant, Matthew Ukwu, reported the matter at the Dutse Alhaji Police Station in Abuja.
According to the prosecution, the alleged offences contravene Sections 312, 309 and 322 of the Penal Code.
Testifying as a prosecution witness, Inspector Kumode Ozodehe, the leader of the police team that investigated the matter, told the court that the defendant introduced a poultry farm investment proposal to the complainant in April 2024.
Ozodehe said Ogbonna allegedly offered to assist Ukwu in purchasing livestock, birds and equipment while also developing the proposed farm, claiming to have substantial experience in poultry farming.
The complainant subsequently transferred ₦17 million to the defendant for the purchase of livestock, birds and other equipment required for the poultry business, the witness told the court.
According to Ozodehe, several months after the money was transferred, Ukwu demanded to inspect the items allegedly purchased for the farm but discovered that no such purchases had been made.
The matter was subsequently reported to the police for investigation.
The prosecution witness said police investigations allegedly revealed that the money had been diverted to the defendant’s personal business, leading to charges of criminal breach of trust, misappropriation and cheating.
He added that ₦1 million was recovered from the defendant’s bank account during the investigation.
However, counsel to the defendant, Marvin Ibem, challenged aspects of the prosecution’s case, alleging that Ogbonna’s statement to the police was obtained under duress.
Ibem told the court that his client appeared battered and bruised at the police station and claimed that the defendant’s lawyer was not present when the statement was made.
In his account before the court, Ogbonna admitted diverting the money but said he did so because the complainant’s farm was allegedly not ready for operation at the time.
He maintained that he intended to refund the money once the farm became operational.
The defendant also told the court that he had so far refunded ₦4.5 million to the complainant.
The Senior Magistrate, Abdullahi Ilela, ordered Ogbonna to be remanded in police custody and adjourned the matter until September 30, 2026, for further hearing.
The case remains before the court, and the allegations against the defendant have yet to be determined.
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