A 40-year-old woman, Beatrice Williams, was on Tuesday arraigned before a Kaduna Chief Magistrates’ Court for defrauding her friend of N3.6 million.

The defendant, a resident of Barnawa, Kaduna, is standing trial on a three-count charge of fraud and theft, to which she pleaded not guilty.

The Prosecutor, Insp. Chidi Leo, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on Jan. 21 at Narayi High Cost Kaduna.

According to Leo, the defendant collected N3.5 million from her friend, Linda Gideon to buy 58 bags of rice for the complainant for business purposes, but converted the money to her personal use.

The prosecutor added that the defendant refused to render the service or return the money given to her to purchase the rice.

Leo said the offences contravened the Penal Code of Kaduna State, 2017.

The Magistrate, Ibrahim Emmanuel, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.

Emmanuel said the sureties must reside and own landed property within the jurisdiction of the court and must depose to an affidavit of means.

He adjourned the matter until May 20, for hearing.

-NAN