A 30-year-old businessman, Azuka Okafor, on Thursday appeared before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for alleged $13,100.00 (N5.4 million) fraud.
The defendant, who resides at Satellite Town, Lagos State, was arraigned before Magistrate A.S. Odusanya, on a two-count charge of obtaining money under false pretences and stealing.
Okafor, however, denied committing the offences and was admitted for N1 million bail with two sureties in like sum.
Odusanya said the sureties should be gainfully employed and show evidence of two-year tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
The Prosecution, Inspector Emmanuel Ajayi, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on February 13, 2019 at the Trade Fair, Complex, Badagry Expressway, Ojo, Lagos State.
Ajayi said the defendant fraudulently obtained the money from Franklin Okpara on the pretext of helping him to import goods from China.
He said: “After the defendant collected the money from the complainant, he did not import any goods, but converted the money for his personal use.
“It is over two years now and efforts made by the complainant to get the goods or retrieve his money proved unsuccessful.”
Ajayi said the complainant reported the case and the defendant arrested.
He said the offences violated sections 287 and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that section 287 carries three years imprisonment for stealing while section 314 attracts 15 years for obtaining money under false pretence.
The case was adjourned until July 15 for mention.
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