A 23-year-old fashion designer, Oyetola Motunrayo, was on Thursday arraigned in a Kado Grade I Area Court, Abuja, for absconding with a friend’s N4 million on her birthday.

The police charged Motunrayo of Ochacho Estate, Idu Abuja, with criminal breach of trust, cheating and criminal misappropriation.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Prosecution Counsel, Mr Stanley Nwafoaku, said on May 20 at about 4:30 pm, a written petition by LEO Attorney Solicitor for the complainant Miss Jennifer Ephraim against Oyetola Motunrayo was received.

Nwafoaku alleged that on Aug. 24, 2022, the complainant celebrated her birthday at Moscos Lounge Abuja and was gifted a cash sum of N4 million.

He said that the complainant gave the money which was in a nylon bag to her personal assistant, Mary John and immediately ordered her to give it to the defendant for safekeeping.

The police alleged that, the following day Miss Ephraim called Motunrayo to bring the money to her and she denied receiving any cash gift wrapped in nylon from the personal assistant.

He said that during the police investigation, the defendant admitted to having the personal assistant’s phone which was also in the nylon bag where the cash gift was kept.

He said that the offence contravene the provisions of sections 312, 322 and 309 of the Penal Code Law.

The Defence Counsel, Charity Nwosu made an oral bail application, citing Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Section 158 of Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, assuring that the defendant would not jump bail, if granted.

Nwafoaku, however, did not object to the bail application made by the defense counsel.

The Judge, Malam Muhammed Wakili, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N2 million and one surety in like sum.

Wakili ordered that the surety must provide a BVN printout, a recent passport photograph and a valid identification card, which must be verified by the court registrar.

The Judge adjourned the matter until July 10, for a hearing.