Fraud
By Vivian Ibobo
Lagos, May 9, 2018 (NAN) A building engineer, Samson Sodende, who allegedly defrauded an accommodation seeker of N420, 000, on Wednesday appeared before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court.
Thirty-eight-year-old Sodende, who resides at 35, Abel Ademola St., Aboru, Lagos, is facing a two-count charge of stealing and obtaining money under false pretences.
He, however, pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Insp. Victor Eruada, said the accused committed the offences on March 29 at Aboru.
Eruada said that the accused collected the N420, 000 from one Mr Jonathan Nwokolo, on the pretext of securing a three-bed room apartment for him, but failed to get the apartment.
He said that the accused converted the money for personal use, adding that Nwokolo’s efforts to recover the money or get the apartment failed.
The prosecutor said that the offences contravened Sections 28 and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 287 stipulates three years’ imprisonment for stealing, while Section 314 prescribes a 15-year jail term for obtaining by false pretences.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs M.I. Dan-Oni, granted the accused bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in the like sum.
She ordered that the sureties must show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
The chief magistrate adjourned the case until May 31 for mention. (NAN)
IZU/JI/IGO
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Editing by Joseph Idika/Ijeoma Popoola