A 42-year-old businessman, Shade Alimi, who allegedly defrauded a woman of N5.9 million on the pretext of supplying her petroleum products, was on Monday arraigned in a Yaba Chief Magistrates’ court in Lagos.
Alimi, a resident of Gbagada Area of Lagos, is facing a two-count charge of obtaining by false pretence and theft.
He however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The police prosecutor attached to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) Panti, Mr J. I. Eboseremen, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on April 1, 2019, at No. 30, Prophet Ayodele St., Isheri area of Osun, Lagos.
Eboseremen said that the defendant was paid N5.9 million by the complainant, Mrs Pauline Okafor, to supply her some petroleum products for an event she was having.
According to him, the defendant squandered the money and did not supply the products.
The offences contravened Sections 314 and 287 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 pretence, while 287 stipulates three years imprisonment for the offence of theft.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Adeola Adedayo, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N1 million with two sureties in like sum.
Adedayo directed that both sureties must be residing within the court’s jurisdiction and be gainfully employed, with evidence of three years tax payment to Lagos State Government.
She further held that the sureties must also show proof of employment, proof of sources of income, and must have their addresses and offices verified by the court.
Adedayo adjourned the case until March 22, for further mention.