The police on Thursday arraigned a 44-year-old driver, Adeoya, in a Karmo Grade I Area Court, Abuja, for allegedly faking his own kidnap and deceiving his friend into paying N350,000 as ransom.

Adeoya is charged with two counts of criminal breach of trust and cheating.

The Prosecution Counsel, Mrs Ijeoma Ukagha, told the court that the complainant, Daniel, who lives in Bwari, Abuja reported the matter at the Life Camp Police Station, Abuja, on August 27

Ukagha alleged that on August 23 around 5:30 p.m. the defendant called the complainant, pleading for his assistance.

The prosecutor alleged that the defendant told the complainant that he was abducted along with one of his sons on the Kaduna-Abuja Highway.

She said the defendant pleaded with the complainant to help him pay the ransom of N350,000 with a promise to pay back upon his release.

Ukagha added that during police investigation, the defendant confessed to the crime, while efforts made to recover the money failed.

The offence, she said, contravened the provisions of sections 312 and 322 of the Penal Code.

The defendant pleaded not guilty.

The Presiding Judge, Alhaji Inuwa Maiwada, admitted Adeoya to bail in the sum of N50, 000 with one surety in like sum.

Maiwada adjourned the case for hearing.