A 36-year-old thrift collector, Janet Nathan, was on Wednesday arraigned before a Kaduna State Magistrate Court for allegedly stealing N3.3 million belonging to a group of traders.
Nathan, who resides in the Trikania area of Kaduna, is facing a six-count charge bordering on fraud and stealing. She, however, pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
The Prosecutor, Inspector Chidi Leo, told the court that the defendant committed the alleged offences between January 4 and April 2, 2024, in Trikania, Kaduna.
According to Leo, the defendant fraudulently obtained a total sum of N3.3 million from 23 traders who were part of a monthly contribution scheme.
He further stated that Nathan posed as a contribution coordinator and allegedly stole the funds contributed by Mary Sunday, Saratu Audu, Cynthia Njoku, Felicia Ezekiel, and several others, before disappearing.
Leo added that Nathan was eventually arrested after the victims lodged a complaint at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), which launched an investigation into the matter.
The prosecutor said the offences contravened provisions of the Penal Code of Kaduna State, 2017.
Magistrate Ibrahim Emmanuel granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum. The court also ruled that the sureties must be gainfully employed and present evidence of tax payment to the Kaduna State Government.
The case was adjourned to May 15 for hearing.
