The Police in Abuja have arraigned two Bureau de Change "errand boys", Hanna Adedeji, 35 and Anikamadu Obiageli, 37 of Jikwoyi phase II before a Karu Chief Magistrates' Court for alleged diversion of N16 million.

The prosecutor, Sergeant Abiola Oyewusi, told the court that the complainant, one Tony Iwobi of No. 5 Jamare Close, Garki II, sent his employees Adedeji and Obiageli to collect 100,000 U.S. dollars (about N16 million).

"The complainant attached a Peugeot 206 car to them so that they can get the cash from the old CBN also in Garki II. After they cashed the money, they conspired and diverted the money to an unknown destination and claimed that they were attacked by armed robbers on the way," he said.

Oyewusi said during police investigations, it was discovered that there was no armed robbery attack on that day as claimed by the accused.

He told the court that the offence contravenes the provisions of sections 28 and 314 of the Penal Code.

The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Counsel to the accused, Stanley Orakbo, made an oral application for bail.

Oyewusi, however, opposed the counsel's application, saying "considering the amount involved in this case, we oppose the counsel's application. They may jump bail and tamper with police investigations," he said.

Orakbo, however, pleaded with the Magistrate, saying, "the accused persons have been in the police Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) detention cell for the past 19 days now."

In her ruling, the trial magistrate, Hadiza Dodo, refused to admit the accused to bail.

"I will like you to address the court properly with a motion which must be filed within 48 hours. After the address, the court will sit to consider the bail application," she said.