The Police on Monday arraigned a 34-year-old man, Ezekiel Etim, before an Ogudu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly failing to produce a suspect in an N17.5 million fraud case.

Etim, who resides at 27 Idafa Road, Amaya, Ikorodu, Lagos, is facing a two-count charge bordering on obstruction and perversion of justice.

The prosecutor, ASP Sunday Bassey, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on Aug. 12 at the Divisional Crime Branch of the Ogudu Police Station, Lagos.

Bassey said the case followed a complaint that Arthur Bosah, Chief Security Officer of Ninco Construction Ltd., Ogudu, lodged at the Ogudu Police Division on Aug. 10.

He said that sometime this year, Ninco Construction Ltd., in partnership with Ostra Home Ltd., contracted one Emmanuel Akande to supply 2,000 pallets of paving stones.

According to him, Akande collected N20 million for the supply but allegedly delivered only 200 pallets and converted N17.5 million to his personal use.

The prosecutor said efforts to trace Akande and recover the money were unsuccessful, prompting the company to report the matter to the police.

He alleged that Etim subsequently stood as surety for Akande and signed a bail bond undertaking to produce him whenever required by the police.

Bassey said Etim failed to produce Akande on Aug. 14 and subsequent dates in spite of demands by the police, thereby allegedly aiding his escape and obstructing the course of justice.

He said the offences contravened Sections 97(1) and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

Etim pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Magistrate Mrs O.A. Daodu granted the defendant bail in the sum of one million naira, with two sureties in like sum.

The court adjourned the case until Sept. 22 for mention.