Theft
Lagos, May 25, 2018 (NAN) A 40-year-old barber, Sheriff Ahmed, who allegedly obtained $500 (N240,000), from a bureau-de-change and failed to remit the Naira equivalent was on Friday brought before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court.
Ahmed, who resides at 34, Akeso Road, Ikotun, a suburb of Lagos, is facing a two-count charge of obtaining by false pretenses and stealing.
The Prosecutor, Sgt. Innocent Odugbo told the court that the accused committed the offences in September, 2017 at 54 Palm Avenue, Mushin, Lagos.
Odugbo said the accused collected the dollars from the complainant, Mr Bashar Hassan, a bureau-de-change operator, promising to remit the Naira equivalent later.
“The accused collected 500 dollars, equivalent to N240,000 from the complainant claiming he was taking it to the bank to pay into his brother ‘s account who resides in the United States.
“He promised to withdraw the N240,000 from his account to give to the complainant but failed to do so, instead he disappeared and stopped going to his shop.
“All efforts to locate him failed as he moved out of his apartment, but luck ran out of him when the accused sighted him at Ikeja bus stop and raised alarm and the accused was apprehended by the police,’’ he said.
The offences contravened Sections 287 and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 287 stipulates a seven-year jail term for offenders.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
In her ruling, the Magistrate, Mrs S. K Matepo, granted the accused bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case until June 20 for mention. (NAN)
MTO/EOB/MNA
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Edited by Edith Bolokor/Maureen Atuonwu