A headteacher at Saint Peter’s Anglican School in Ogun State, Christiana Ikara, who allegedly defrauded her friend of 31 years, of £28,000 pounds under the false pretence of helping her purchase properties, was yesterday arraigned before a Lagos Magistrate Court sitting in Igbosere.
Ikara 55, who connived with her sons, who acted as agent and lawyer, respectively, to defraud her friend, is facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, stealing, obtaining and fraud, preferred against her by the Police.
The defendant, who resides in Ogun State, was docked before Magistrate Mr B. I. Bakare.
The prosecutor Supol George Nwosu told the court that the defendant and others now at large, committed the offences sometime in April 2019.
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He said that the defendant obtained the sum of £28,000, pounds, which is equivalent to N13,400,000, from the complainant, one Mrs Isoken Ilekhuoba, under the disguise of helping her purchase properties, which she knew was false.
Nwosu said, ” The defendant obtained the said money, from Ilekhuoba, that she was going to help her purchase a two flat bungalow and a three-bedroom flat, which she knew to be false”.
” Ikara, with intent to defraud, stole the said money, by the false presence,” The prosecutor said.
According to him, the offence committed is contrary to Section 280 and punishable under Sections 411, 413 and 287, of the criminal law of Lagos state 2015.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge against her.
Lawyer to the defendant Emmanuel Okedi urged the court to grant her bail in liberal terms as she was still presumed innocent.
He said, ” The defendant is a senior and responsible citizen.”
However, Nwosu, prayed the court to give the defendant a very stringent bail, to ensure she attends court proceedings.
Consequently, Magistrate Mr B. I. Bakare, admitted her to bail in the sum of N1million, with two sureties in like sum.
He ordered that one of the sureties should deposit the sum of N250,000, with the chief registrar.
Bakare also ordered that the second surety must be a landowner and the two sureties must be residents of Lagos state.
He ordered that the sureties must show means of livelihood, means of identification, three years tax payment to Lagos state government and have their addresses verified.
The case was adjourned till March 24, 2020, for mention.
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