Court Frees Lawyer Accused Of Defrauding Ben Bruce’s Brother, Muray, Of N50m
Justice Raliat Adebiyi of an Ikeja High Court, Lagos, has discharged and acquitted a lawyer, Yetunde Faseshin Sousa who was alleged of N50 million property fraud.
Justice Adebiyi freed the lawyer on the ground that the prosecution failed woefully to prove its case against her.
The Lagos State Government had dragged the lawyer before the court on a count-charge of defrauding Domino Stores Limited and Ozone Cinemas of the said sum, belonging to Senator Ben Bruce’s brother, Michael Murray Bruce.
The state alleged that the money was given to her by Micheal Muray Bruce, as a renewer of lease of a property situated at Habour, Apapa, Lagos.
The offence was said to contravenedSection 390(9) of the Criminal Code Laws Cap C17, Vol. 2 of Lagos State 2003.
During trial, the prosecution called three witnesses to proof the allegations against the defendants, while the defendant and two other witnesses testifying to debunk prosecution’s allegations against her.
But in her judgement, Justice Adebiyi noted that the state failed to establish prima facie against the defendant as there was no nexus linking the defendant with the fraud allegations.
The judge also held that the defendant only acted in her professional capacities in the lease of the property in question. She consequently acquitted and discharged the lawyer of the fraud allegation.
The Lawyer is entitled to adequate compensation