Macmillan’s Book Publishers: N20M Bail Over Alleged $156,711 Fraud Case

Macmillan Nigeria Publisher, Prof. Adesanya Adelekan is still at large, according to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

According to report, Justice Mojisola Dada of the Ikeja Special Offences Court, Lagos State, on Friday, granted one of Macmillan’s book publishers, Fasasi Bola, N20 million bail over an alleged $156,711 fraud case involving another Macmillan Nigeria Publisher, Prof. Adesanya Adelekan.

The defendant, alongside Macmillan Nigerian Publishers Limited, was arraigned by the EFCC on an amended six counts bordering on obtaining goods by false pretences.

The charge read, “Macmillan Nigerian publishers, Professor Adesanya Adelekan, who is now at large, and Fasasi Bola, sometime in 2018, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, conspired among yourselves to obtain goods by false pretences, property of BHS Printing SDN BHD of Selangor Malaysia.

“That Macmillan Nigerian Publishers, Professor Adesanya Adelekan (now at large) and Fasasi Bola, sometime in 2018 within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, obtained books for sale worth $156,711.87 by false pretences from BHS Book Printing SDN BHD of Selangor, Malaysia, under the pretences that you would sell the books and remit the money from the sales within two weeks of receiving the bill of lading, which pretence, you knew or ought to know is false.”

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The defence counsel, Oludotun Tadefemi, had prayed the court to grant Fasasi bail on liberal terms.

Tadefemi said that the bail application was supported by an 11-paragraph affidavit sworn by the chief accountant of Macmillan Nigeria.

He said, “The affidavit states clearly that this company has been in existence for over 50 years in this country and has never been exposed to any charge from law enforcement agencies.

“This is a civil matter between two parties. The last paragraph of the petition, which the complainant wrote to the EFCC, states that the complainant only wants his money back.

“I urge your lordship to admit the second defendant to bail in liberal terms because he has gone through a lot and will be needed to make sure this money is recovered.

“We admit there is an outstanding. The books are in the warehouse and need to be sold, my lord, so that the money can be recovered,” Tadefemi added.

Responding, the EFCC counsel, Ayanfe Ogunsina, informed the court that the commission also filed an eight-paragraph counter-affidavit dated  July 5.

Ogunshina said, “We humbly seek to adopt the position in the affidavit, my lord.

He said, “All the issues being raised are just diversionary without  labouring the matter, I humbly urge my lord  to give bail at the discretion of the court.”

Justice Dada granted N20 million bail to the defendant and ordered Fasasi to produce two sureties in like sum.

The Justice ruled that the sureties must be gainfully employed and have evidence of three years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

Justice Dada ordered that the defendant submit his international passport to the EFCC and adjourned the matter until October 18, 2022, for commencement of trial.

She also directed that the sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and undertake to place lien on their bank accounts.