A 53-year-old man, Ebenezer Akinyanju, was on Monday arraigned in a Yaba chief magistrates’ court, Lagos, for allegedly defrauding a woman of N17 million on the pretext of obtaining a contract for her.
The defendant, whose residential address was not provided, is facing three counts charge of conspiracy, obtaining money under false pretence and stealing.
Speaking to the court, Police prosecutor, ASP Rita Momah stated that the defendant committed the offences sometime between Sept. 16, 2020 and Nov. 4, 2021.
Momah alleged that the defendant collected a total of N17 million on different occasions from the complainant, Mrs Bimpe Ige, on the pretext of getting her a Federal Government contract.
She said the defendant, who was never in a position to give any contract, had deceived the complainant and defrauded her.
According to her, the offences contravene sections 411, 314 and 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. (Revised).
However, Akinyanju pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Section 287 stipulates a three-year jail term for the offence of stealing when convicted, while conviction under Section 314 carries 15 years for obtaining by false pretence.
Chief magistrate, Mrs Olatunbosun Adeola, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N300,000 with two sureties in like sum.
Adeola further ordered that both sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and should be gainfully employed with evidence of tax payments to Lagos State Government..
She then adjourned the case until March 1, for further mention.