Businessman
By Deborah Akpede
Ikeja, June 8, 2018 (NAN) A 41-year-old businessman, Abe Joko, who allegedly collected N550,000 on the pretext of supplying a man vehicle scraps, was on Friday docked at an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court.
The accused was arraigned before the Magistrate, Mrs F.F. George, on a two-count charge of obtaining money under false pretences and stealing.
Joko, who resides at Agbelekale, Abule-Egba, a Lagos suburb, however, pleaded not guilty and was admitted to a bail of N150,000 with two sureties in like sum.
George said the sureties should be gainfully employed with an evidence of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
The Police Prosecutor, Sgt. Godwin Awase, told the court that the accused committed the offences on March 1 at Katangoa Market, Abule-Egba, on Lagos-Sango-Abeokuta Expressway.
The accused obtained N550, 000 from the complainant, Mr Chidiebere Chigo, under the pretext of supplying him vehicle scraps which he never did.
“The accused collected the money from the complainant with a promise to supply him the scraps but absconded.
“Efforts made by the complainant to get his money or scraps proved unsuccessful as he refused to pick the complainant’s calls.
“The accused was later arrested and handed over to the police,” the prosecutor said.
The offences violated Sections 287 and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 287 stipulates three years imprisonment for stealing, while Section 314 attracts 15 years for obtaining money under false pretences.
The case was adjourned until June 28. (NAN)
DOA/ENN/DA
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Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu/Dele Akinsola