A traditional ruler, Igwe Chukwudi Titus, was yesterday arraigned before a Federal High Court in Enugu for allegedly duping some persons of N6.5 million in a land deal.

He was charged with a six-count charge of obtaining money under false pretence, to which he pleaded not guilty.

The court, presided over by Justice D. V. Agishir, has adjourned further hearing in the case to November 6, and ordered that the accused be remanded in EFCC custody as requested by his counsel, Mr. S. C. Chime.

The prosecution told the court that the accused “had fraudulently collected the sum of N5.5 million from him for eleven plots of land beside PRODA in Emene Industrial layout, Enugu.

The prosecution said: “After collecting the said N5.5 million, he resold about 20,220 square metres of the said land to S. C. Dubinson Nigeria Limited, Emene Nike community.

“All efforts made by his clients to either get their plots of land or a refund of their money proved abortive,” the prosecution added.