NAN-H-21
Trader
By Oluwatope Lawanson
Lagos, June 19, 2017 (NAN) A trader, Arogun Olabode, who allegedly defrauded a businesswoman, Alaba Oshodi, of N18 million, on Monday appeared in an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court.
The accused, 55, who resides at Plot 70, Renecon Estate in Ikorodu, Lagos State, is facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, fraud and stealing.
The Prosecutor, Sgt. Donjor Perezi, told the court that the accused committed the offences with others still at large, between November 2015 and October 2016, in Ikorodu area of Lagos State.
He alleged that the accused fraudulently collected the money from the complainant under the pretext of using it to facilitate a contract with the Nigeria Army.
“The accused lured the complainant to Lagos from Okiti-Pupa, Ondo State and introduced her to one Arogun Defemi who claimed to be a Colonel in the Nigerian Army.
Olabode told the complainant that the colonel was in charge of contractors and award of contracts in the Army.
“The accused and his accomplices promised to award the complainant a contract on the condition of payment of the sum of N18 million to facilitate the deal.
“Oshodi paid the said amount and never heard from the accused and his accomplice afterwards,’’ Perezi said.
The prosecutor told the court that the accused absconded and all efforts made to get him to refund the money were unsuccessful.
“The complainant later discovered that she had been duped, hence he reported the matter at the police station,” he said.
The offences contravene Sections 285, 312 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 312 prescribes a 15-year jail term for offenders, while Section 285 stipulates three-year imprisonment.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs O.A. Layinka, granted the accused bail in the sum of N500, 000 with two sureties in like sum.
She said that the sureties must show evidence of three years tax payment to the Lagos State Government and adjourned the case until June 23 for substantive trial. (NAN)
LAW/DEB/SOA
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Edited by Debo Oshundun/Oluwole Sogunle