Artisan, 25, docked over alleged N2.3m fraud

A 25-year-old artisan, Raji Mudashiru, was on Tuesday brought before an Ogudu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly defrauding a company of N2.3 million.

Mudashiru, who resides in Ojota area of Lagos State, is facing a two-count charge of obtaining money by false pretences and stealing, to which he pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Insp. Donjour Perezi told the court that the defendant committed the offences in April in Ojota.

Perezi said that WILMEB Nigeria Ltd. had awarded a contract to the defendant to construct aluminium windows and doors.

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He said that the defendant collected N2.3 million from the company to deliver the goods on an agreed date but he failed.

Perezi told the court that instead of meeting his contractual obligations, the defendant locked up his shop and absconded with the company’s money.

“Upon investigation, the defendant was arrested and he signed an undertaking in June to either supply the windows and doors to the company or return the money within a month.

“My Lord, up till date, he has refused to do either,” the prosecutor said.

Perezi said that the offences contravened Sections 287 and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 287 stipulates a three-year jail term for stealing, while Section 314 prescribes 15 years’ imprisonment for obtaining by false pretences.

The magistrate, Mrs Bukola Mogaji, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N50,000 with one surety in like sum.

Mogaji also ordered that the surety’s age must be above 40 years and be residing within the court’s jurisdiction.

She said that the surety must also show evidence of two years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government (LASG).

The court adjourned the case until Sept. 23 for mention.