Magistrate Khamisi Tokunbo has remanded into custody a Pembroke man accused of attempting to steal $20 million from Ace Insurance through a bank, allegedly by dishonestly representing himself as a director of the company.

Maxwell Sinclair Roberts, 40, will be tried on November 2 after opting for a summary trial on what lawyers call a hybrid charge of stealing. He could have opted for a Supreme Court trial before a judge and jury.

But Crown counsel Carrington Mahoney appeared to be unsatisfied with the level of the charge and said ?the Crown will be objecting to that?.

Roberts? lawyer, Larry Scott, later vowed ?a rigorous defence? and an early trial date.

After Mr. Tokunbo had ordered Roberts to be remanded, Roberts requested the opportunity to speak to the magistrate.

Mr. Scott gestured to Roberts to sit back down ? using a dismissive arm gesture ? and said ?no, not now? and even Mr. Mahoney told Roberts: ?Now?s not the time to speak!?

?I just want to say a few words, your honour,? he said. ?Stealing $20 million would be a scandal the scale of Enron. I?m not that smart.?

Mr. Tokunbo showed no reaction and Roberts was led from the room.