Importer in court for allegedly defrauding 2 businessmen of $67,200

A 39-year-old vehicle importer, Busayo Afolami, was on Monday brought before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court Lagos, for allegedly obtaining 67,200 dollars (about N20.5 million) from two businessmen under the pretext of importing vehicles from the U.S.

Afolami, whose residential address was not given, is charged with six counts bordering on conspiracy, a threat to life and fraud.

The Prosecutor, Sgt. Chinedu Njoku told the court that the defendant committed the alleged offence sometime in June 2013, at No. 1, Oba Aladejobi Ikeja GRA, Lagos and October 2013, at No.53, Olugbede St, Akowonjo, Lagos.

He said that in June 2013, the defendant fraudulently obtained 35,300 dollars from one Mr Onipeded Olatunbosun.

Njoku alleged that the defendant obtained the said money from Olatunbosun, with a promise to import a Lexus 350, Honda 2010 model and Corolla 2005 from the U.S.

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He said the defendant who did not import any of the cars, converted the money to his personal use.

The prosecutor also alleged that the defendant threatened Olatunbosun.

Njoku also said that sometime in October 2013, the defendant fraudulently obtained the sum of $31, 900 from another complainant, one Joel Fagoriola, under the guise of importing Mack and Man Diesel trucks.

He said that the defendant did not purchase the trucks but converted the money to his own use.

He said that the offence, contravened the provisions of sections 232, 287, 314 (1)and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The defendant denied the charges.

In her ruling, Magistrate Mrs Folashade Botoku granted the defendant bail in the sum of N5 million with two sureties in like sum.

She ordered that one of the sureties must be a company director and must show evidence of tax payments to the Lagos State Government and have their addresses verified.

She adjourned the case until April 2, for mention.