The police in Lagos State on Monday docked a 21-year-old mechanic, Sunday Ibrahim, for allegedly converting N40,000 given to him to repair a car engine to personal use.
Ibrahim, who resides in Ogudu area of the state, is facing a two-count charge of stealing and obtaining money under false pretences, before an Ogudu Magistrates’ Court.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the offences.
The prosecutor, Insp. Donjour Perezi said that the defendant committed the offences on June 15 at No. 18, Ogudu-Ojota Road in Lagos State.
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Perezi said that the defendant collected the money from the complainant, Mr Temitope Ajayi.
Perezi said that the defendant promised that he would assist Ajayi to repair his Toyota Camry car engine, a representation he knew to be false.
He prosecutor said that the defendant did not repair the engine but converted the money to his personal use and stole some parts of the car.
“ The defendant stole two of the car’s tyres valued at N50, 000, break pad valued at N12, 000, the rear glass valued at N11, 000 and front bumper valued at N 16, 000.
“The defendant also stole the car engine valued at N250, 000 which he was supposed to repair, all totalling N339, 000.
“All efforts made by the complainant to get his money back failed,’’ he said.
The prosecutor said that the offences contravened Sections 287(9) and 314 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 287 stipulates three years’ imprisonment for stealing while Section 314 provides for 15 years’ jail term for obtaining under false pretences.
The magistrate, Mrs Bukola Mogaji, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N100, 000 with two sureties in like sum.
She said that the sureties should either be a community leader or a clergyman.
Mogaji adjourned the case until Oct. 14, for mention.
NAN
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