An Ikeja High Court on Thursday dismissed a no-case submission by an oil marketer, Michael Ogbodo, charged with USD80,000 oil fraud.
Ogbodo, and his company, Ogbodo Giant Plc. are being prosecuted by the Special Fraud Unit of Nigeria Police Force (SFU).
Justice Hakeem Oshodi asked Ogbodo and the company to open defence.
The defendants made a no-case submission after prosecution concluded evidence.
Oshodi disagreed with defence that prosecution did not establish a prima facie case against the defendants.
He held that there was strong evidence against them that would warrant them to defend themselves against the offences charged.
The SFU arraigned the defendants on a three-count charge bordering on intent to defraud and obtaining money under false pretences.
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
According to the Head of Legal Unit of SFU, Mr Emmanuel Jackson, Ogbodo and the company sometime in July 2016 in Lagos, by false pretences and with intent to defraud, obtained USD80,000 from Cilgron Industries.
SFU called five witnesses and tendered documents in support of the allegations.
However, defence made a no-case submission, urging the court to discharge and acquit the defendants.
Defence submitted that prosecution in all its evidence – oral and documentary – was not able to prove any committal of offence by the defendants.
Responding, SFU urged the court to dismiss the application for lack of merit.
The court adjourned the case until June 16 for defence to open its case.
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