A magistrate court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, grants Mr. Sunday Udom, a former member of the House of Representatives bail in the sum of N1 Million.
Magistrate Immaculate Idiong on Monday granted the rep member bail following an application by his lawyer made on grounds of I’ll health.
Mr. Udom is being remanded at Ikot Ekpene prison after being charged with alleged N31 million fraud.
Background
In November 2021, Aniekan Etim petitioned the state commissioner of police for the arrest of Udom over the fraud.
She claimed he defrauded her by claiming to run a foundation that partnered with international donor agencies in London and Zurich, which also had a contract with the federal government of Nigeria.
According to her, she paid the sum of N31 million to Udom, who was also a former chairman of Oruk Anam Local Government, Uyo, Akwa Ibom state.
Later, it was discovered that Udom was not running the acclaimed foundation and was not willing to refund the money as promised during their agreement.
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After several invitations by police which were neglected, the police arrested him and were subsequently granted administrative bail which he jumped leading to his re-arrest and remand.
He was arrested by the Police for allegedly defrauding Etim of N31 million an offence contrary to Section 1 (1) (a) (c) (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.
In his own part, Udom told the police that he was running a charity foundation namely Soni Udom Foundation with headquarters at 7, Umoessien Street, off Obio Imo Street, Uyo.
He agreed to owe the sum of N31 million but claimed to have promised to refund it at his discretion, with an initial payment of N5 million and subsequently N26 million balance through Zenith bank.
However, A legal officer from the Police Legal Department, State Command Headquarters, Ikot Akpan Abia told the court that the document presented by the 72-year-old Udom was a fake one.
The legal officer also disclosed that Udom’s initial intention was strictly deceit and dishonesty.
However, Utibe Nwoko, Udom’s counsel asked the court to grant him bail. He argued that his client deserves bail on the ground that he is old and has a partial stroke and is diabetic.
The magistrate granted his prayer and granted Udom bail in the sum of N1 million with other stringent conditions.