A 43-year-old lawyer, Mr Bolaji Alabi of Dutse - Alhaji, Abuja was arraigned before an Abuja Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly cheating an organisation, the Virtuous Women Cooperative Society.

The police prosecutor, Mr Danjuma Iyako, told the court that on June 6, 2011 the cooperative society reported the accused to the police claiming that he defrauded it of N1.3 million.

He said that sometime in 2010 the cooperative society appointed the accused to be its lawyer in its ice-block business that was to be opened in Dutse-Alhaji, Abuja.

Iyako said that along the line “the accused agreed to provide space for the society for its business at the rate of N1.5 million for the period of five years but eventually collected N1.3 million.’’

“When they were to install a transformer to begin business, another person appeared, chased them away and locked the premises, claiming that it belonged to him,'' Iyako said.

He said when the accused was informed about the development he claimed that the land belonged to him, but did nothing about it and effort made by the cooperative society to collect its  money was futile.

Iyako said the accused was charged for cheating which contravened section 322 of the Penal Code Law.

The accused pleaded not guilty and was granted bail in the sum of N500,000 and two sureties, who must reside within the court's jurisdiction.

Chief Magistrate Okeagu Azubike adjourned the case to November 22, 2011 for hearing.