A businessman, Obinna Okonkwo, on Monday, appeared before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos, for allegedly defrauding his friend, Chukwudi Ikegwuonu, N4.5 million.
Okonkwo, 42, was charged for obtaining the amount from his friend on the pretext of using the money to clear his car from the Apapa Port, Lagos.
The defendant, who resides at No.138 Akingbola St., Amuwo Odofin in Festac, is facing a three-count-charge bordering on conspiracy and false pretences.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Prosecutor, ASP Akeem Raji, told the court that the defendant committed the offences sometimes in August 2018 at 1:00 pm at Festac Town in Lagos.
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He said that the defendant obtained the said amount as a loan from the complainant to clear his car but failed to return the money as promised.
“The defendant borrowed the N4.5 million from the complainant to pay for his car clearance with an assurance of refunding the money back to him but failed as promised.
“The complainant collected the car from him but was surprised when policemen came to his house and told him the car was stolen.
“The defendant also issued a Zenith Bank Cheque with no. 66315821 in the sum of N4.5m to the complainant which was dishonoured in the bank due to insufficient fund.
“All attempts made by the complainant to collect his money from the defendant proved abortive,” he said.
The Chief Magistrate Mrs O. A. Layinka granted the defendant N300,000 bail with two sureties in like sum.
Layinka ruled that the sureties must be gainfully employed with an evidence of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government and have their addresses verified by the court.
She added that the sureties must be blood relatives of the defendant and adjourned the case until May 30 for hearing.
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