A car dealer, Innocent Odiba, on Thursday appeared before a Tinubu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly defrauding a customer of N1.7 million.
Odiba, 34, is facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, fraud and theft
Odiba, 34, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The Prosecutor, Inspector Ajaga Agboko, told the court that the defendant committed the offences sometime in July 2018 at No. 38, Balola Str., Palm Groove, Lagos.
He said that Odiba conspired with a relative of the complainant to defraud one Mark Ochigbo of N1.7million under the pretence of helping Ochigbo to buy a car from overseas since 2018.
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Agboko said that whenever Ochigbo asked Odiba of the car, he would inform Ochigbo that the car was yet to arrive at the Lagos Port.
He said that a relative of Ochigbo introduced the defendant to him as a car dealer.
He told the court that since 2018 Odiba could not deliver the car as promised and he also did not return the money.
According to the prosecutor, the offences contravene Sections 287,314 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 287 carries three years imprisonment for theft; Section 314 prescribes 15 years imprisonment for fraud while Section 411 stipulates two years imprisonment for conspiracy.
The Magistrate, Mr T.A. Anjorin-Ajose, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500, 000 with two sureties in like sum.
He adjourned the case until September 19 for mention.