An Indian expatriate based in Nigeria, Mr Ramshikor Chaudi, has been arraigned before an Ikorodu Magistrate’s Court in Lagos over allegations of defrauding HND Supermarket of ₦22 million using fake bank transfer notifications.
The defendant is facing several charges related to fraud and stealing, having allegedly acquired goods worth ₦450,000 and unlawfully carted away additional items valued at ₦21.6 million, bringing the total amount involved to ₦22 million.
Prosecutors told the court that the alleged offence took place on January 2, 2026, at HND Supermarket along Shagamu Road in Ikorodu.
The prosecuting counsel, Adegeshin Famuyiwa, informed the court that the defendant allegedly manipulated electronic bank transfer confirmations by altering transaction details such as amounts, dates and figures. He was said to have presented the forged alerts as evidence of payment, thereby deceiving supermarket staff into releasing goods to him.
Famuyiwa told the court that the alleged scheme only came to light during the supermarket’s routine financial reconciliation, prompting management to report the matter to the police. Following an investigation, Chaudi was arrested and charged.
The prosecution maintained that the alleged acts contravened Sections 314, 287, 361 and 365 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to all the charges when they were read to him.
In his ruling, the presiding magistrate, Mr Adedeji Ogbe, admitted Chaudi to bail in the sum of N5 million, with two sureties in like amount.
The court ordered that the sureties must present proof of legitimate means of livelihood and evidence of tax compliance, while their residential addresses will be verified.
The magistrate adjourned the case to February 19 for mention and ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre pending the fulfillment of his bail conditions.
