A 40-year-old businessman, Theophilus Alaba, on Friday appeared before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly obtaining N4 million under the pretext of supplying wood. Alaba, whose residential address is unknown, is facing charges of obtaining money under false pretences and stealing.
The police prosecutor, Insp. Lucky Ihiehie, told the court the defendant committed the offences on Aug. 11, 2021, at Obawole, Ogba, Lagos State.
He said the defendant fraudulently obtained the money from one Mr Clement Ojike, under the pretext of supplying his company 24 tonnes of black wood, a representation he knew to be false.
“The defendant induced the complainant, who is one of the directors of OG Evergreen International Ltd., to deposit N4 million into his account. He promised to supply the goods within two weeks which he never did.”
“When the efforts made to get the goods or retrieve the money proved unsuccessful, the complainant reported the case leading to the arrest of the defendant,” the prosecutor said.
According to him, the offences contravene sections 287 and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 287 prescribes three years’ jail term for stealing, while section 314 attracts 15 years for obtaining money under false pretences.
Following his not guilty plea, Magistrate Mrs A.O Layinka released the defendant on bail in the sum of N2 million with two sureties in like sum.
Layinka said the sureties should be gainfully employed and show evidence of two years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government (LASG).
The magistrate fixed a further hearing for March 2.