A Consultant, Edward Essien, 45 of Plot 38, Abdullahi Aguyi Road, GRA, Ilorin, who allegedly defrauded Kwara Football Academy the sum of N1,870,000 has been arraigned before an Ilorin Chief Magistrate Court.

The accused was arraigned on a two-count charge of criminal breach of trust and theft, contrary to Sections 312 and 287 of the Penal Code Law.

Police arrested the accused following a petition to the commissioner of Police, Kwara State Command, Ilorin by the management of the Kwara Football Academy (KFA) that the accused stole N1,870,000 belonging to the academy.

According to the petition, the accused, a consultant with Core Business Technology Limited (CBTL) was employed by the academy on contract basis as an agent to mobilise interested student who wish to apply for trial. The petition stated further that based of the term of the contract, each students was to pay N6, 000.00, and the accused company was to receive N1,000.00 per student, while the sum of N5,000.00 per student was to be remitted to the academy.

According to the petition, sometime in October 2013 when the academy requested for the remittance of all money accruing into the joint account, it was discovered that the accused has fraudulently withdrew the sum of N1,870,00 to his private account without the permission of KFA.

Police First Information Report (FIR) on the matter stated that discreet investigation conducted at the Department of Investigation, Police Headquarters, Ilorin, shows that the accused actually committed the offence.

The prosecutor, Sergeant Nasiru Yusuf, who informed the court that investigation into the matter was yet to be completed, objected to the bail of the accused and urged the court to remand him in prison custody pending the outcome of investigation.

The defence counsel, Barrister B.R. Gold prayed the court to admit the accused to bail since he has being enjoying police bail which he has not abused same.

The trial judge, Mr. Muhammed Ibrahim agreed with the submission of the defence and released the accused on bail at the sum of N250,000 and two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case till March 17 for further mention.