Businessman gets N5m bail for alleged N53.6m fraud

NAN-H-11
Bail
By Teniola Ibitola
Lagos, Jan. 29, 2018 (NAN) An Ebute Meta Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, on Monday granted N5 million bail to a businessman, Lot Shamhos, for allegedly obtaining N53.6 million under false pretences.
Shamhos had collected the money under the pretext of importing and exporting animal hides and skin.
The defendant had pleaded not guilty to a three-count charge of false pretences, stealing and fraud.
The Magistrate, Mrs Helen Omisore, ordered the defendant to produce two sureties in like sum.
Omisore said that the sureties must be gainfully employed and must be close relatives of the defendant.
She also said that the sureties must own landed property within the court’s jurisdiction and must show proof of three years tax payment to the state government.
The court adjourned the case till Feb. 28 for further hearing.
The Prosecutor, Insp. Cousin Adams, had told the court that the defendant committed the offences sometime in January 2016, at Omole Area, Lagos.
He said the defendant obtained N53.6 million from one Ikechukwu Harrison under the pretext of investing the money into importing and exporting animal hides and skin to China.
Adams also said the defendant in a bid to cover his tracks forged airway bills 60712653996, 06521949416 and 05717448001, which were all fakes.
The offences, he said, violated Sections 287, 314 and 365 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.(NAN)
OAT/OFN/WOJ
Edited by Felix Nwadioha/Wale Ojetimi)