A 29-year-old man, Israel Onwe, was arraigned on Thursday before a Sabo-Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos, accused of fraud amounting to N18.6 million.
Onwe, who resides at No 9, Idi-Iroko Street, off Lagos Road, Ogolonto, Ikorodu, Lagos, faces two charges: obtaining money by false pretence and stealing. The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The prosecutor, Inspector Magaji Haruna, informed the court that Onwe committed the offences on 19th May at Shop 148, Ori-Iyanrin Market, Ebute-Ero, Lagos. According to Haruna, the defendant collected goods valued at N18.6 million from three different vendors with a promise to pay in instalments.
“The vendors gave the goods to the defendant on the grounds that he is a regular customer who has not defaulted in the past. He refused to pay the money. All efforts by the vendors to get their money or goods back proved abortive,” Haruna said.
Haruna stated that the offences contravene Sections 287 and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. Section 314 prescribes 15 years’ imprisonment for obtaining under false pretences, while Section 287 stipulates three years for stealing.
The magistrate, Mrs O. Y. Adefope, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N5 million with two sureties in like sum. Adefope ordered that one of the sureties must be a blood relation of the defendant. She adjourned the case until 25th July for trial.
Alleluia is the Assistant Editor and Content Writer at LagosPost.ng. She is a prolific writer and editor, she has written features and news stories on Lifestyle, Sports, Business, Politics and B2B marketing. She is also an event coordinator, host and social media content creator.
