An Ikeja Special Offences Court on Friday granted bail in the sum of N20 million to Bola Fasasi, a co-defendant in a $156,700 fraud case involving Macmillan Nigeria publisher, Prof. Adesanya Adelekan.
Justice Mojisola Dada also ordered Fasasi to produce two sureties in like sum.
Dada ruled that the sureties must be gainfully employed and have evidence of three years’ tax payment to Lagos State Government.
She also directed that the sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and undertake to place lien on their bank accounts.
The judge also ordered the defendant to submit his international passport to the EFCC.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said Adelekan is still at large.
Dada adjourned the case until October 18 for commencement of trial.
The EFCC had on June 20 arraigned Fasasi on an amended six-count charge bordering on obtaining money under false pretences.
He, however, pleaded not guilty.
The EFCC stated in the charge sheet: “Macmillan Nigeria Publisher, Prof. Adesanya Iyiola Adelekan (now at large) and Bola Fasasi, sometime in 2018, obtained books worth $156,711.87 for sale by false pretences from BHS Book Printing SDN BHD of Selangor, Malaysia.”
It further said that the defendants, under false pretences, promised to sell the books and remit the proceeds within two weeks of receiving the bill of lading.
“Macmillan Nigeria Publisher, Prof. Adesanya Iyiola Adelekan (now at large) and Bola Fasasi, sometime in 2018, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, conspired among yourselves to obtain goods by false pretences, property of BHS Book Printing SDN BHD of Selangor, Malaysia,” it added.
