A 45-year-old mechanic, Taofeek Adebayo, on Monday appeared before an Ikorodu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos State, for allegedly defrauding his customer of N75,000.
Adebayo, who resides on Alfa Street, Ita-Oluwo area of Ikorodu, is facing a two-count charge of fraud and stealing.
He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Prosecutor, Sgt. Mary Ajiteru told the court that the defendant committed the offences on Sept. 20, on Ifelana Street, Solomade, Ikorodu.
Ajiteru said that the defendant collected N75,000 from the complainant, Mr Joseph Aina, to repair his Chevrolet van, but failed.
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She said the defendant collected the money and the van with registration number BDG 300 XQ, abandoned the vehicle and absconded.
“All efforts made by the complainant to locate the defendant yielded no result since September, but he was later apprehended by the police,” he said.
Ajiteru said that the offences contravened Sections 287 and 314 (1) (a) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 314 prescribes 15 years’ imprisonment for fraud, while Section 287 provides for three years’ jail term for stealing.
The Magistrate, Mr M.O. Dawodu granted the defendant bail in the sum of N25,000 with one surety in like sum.
Dawodu adjourned the case until Jan. 16, 2020, for mention.
(NAN)