Federal lawmaker arraigned, remanded for advance fee fraud

Hon. Gabriel Zock has been clamped in EFCC custody over allegation he defrauded a victim of advance fee fraud to the tune of N185 million.

Zock represents Kachia Kagarko Federal Constituency of Kaduna.

According to the EFCC, the honorable obtained the amount under false pretences that he would assist the victim to influence the FCT minister to release Adeyemi’s Right of Occupancy for his property at Guzape area of Abuja.

Zock, with no lawyer yet, pleaded not guilty.

But EFCC’s counsel, Maryam Ahmed, asked the court to remand the lawmaker in prison pending the hearing and determination of his bail application.

Justice Halilu Yusuf however appointed one Adebara Adeniyi as counsel for him, for the purpose of arraignment and bail.

Ahmed said the defendant’s application filed on February 9, was not ripe for hearing, adding she needed time to study and respond to all the fundamental issues raised in the bail application.

Although Adeniyi made oral application for bail, Justice Yusuf overruled him on the ground that a written application had already been filed by another lawyer.

Yusuf then order Zock be remanded in EFCC custody till Feb 16.