Businessman docked over alleged N3.5m fraud

A 40-year-old businessman, Anderson Samuel, was on Monday brought before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, for allegedly defrauding his customer of N3.5 million.

Samuel, whose address was not provided, is facing a three-count charge bordering on fraud and issuance of dud cheque, to which he pleaded not guilty.

The Prosecutor, Insp. Jimoh Joseph told the court that the defendant committed the offences on March 28, 2018, in Lagos.

He said that the defendant obtained the N3.5 million from the complainant, one Mr Onyebuchi Igwegbe, to supply him some Tantex singlets.

“The defendant did not supply the Tantex singlets as he promised and did not refund the money.

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“He, however, issued a First City Monument Bank cheque with serial no. 25287074 worth N1.5 million in favour of the complainant, which was dishonoured due to insufficient funds ” the prosecutor said.

The offences contravened Sections 287, 313 and 321 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

Counsel to the defendant, Mr Jude Ozemhoyha, urged the court to grant his client bail in the most liberal terms.

The Magistrate, Mrs K. O. Ojo, granted the defendant bail in the sum of  N250, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

Ojo said that one of the sureties should be a civil servant, while the other should be a community leader.

She said that the sureties should show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

The magistrate adjourned the case until July 23, for mention.