A 59-year-old trader, James Chike, was on Monday brought before a Sabo Yaba Magistrates’ Court, Lagos for allegedly defrauding a real estate agent of N1.6 million.
Chike, a resident of Igando area of Lagos, is facing a two count charge of conspiracy and obtaining by false pretences.
He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Prosecutor, Insp. Magaji Haruna, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on July 28, at No. 23A Adebisi Oguniyi Crescent, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.
According to him, the defendant posed as a prospective land buyer and stole N1.6 million from the complainant, Mrs Eunice Obasohan, on the pretext of sending her US dollars.
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He said that the defendant told the complainant that he was bringing some dollars to pay for the property but was stranded in police and customs custody.
Haruna said that the complainant sent Chike N1.6 million to settle the officers and deliver the dollars to her, which he never delivered.
The offences contravened Sections 314 and 411 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 314 is punishable by 15 years imprisonment for obtaining by false pretences while 411 stipulates two years imprisonment for the offence of conspiracy.
Chief Magistrate, Mrs O.Y. Adefope, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.
Adefope said that one of the sureties must be a blood relation with both residing within the court’s jurisdiction and be gainfully employed with evidence of three years tax payment to Lagos State Government.
Adefope adjourned the case until Nov. 12 for mention.
(NAN)
