A 31-year-old painter, Ismailia Ishola, who allegedly obtained N260,000 under the pretext of supplying buckets of paint, was on Monday arraigned in an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.
The accused is facing a two-count charge of obtaining money under false pretences and stealing.
Ishola, who resides at Itori, Ogun, however, pleaded not guilty.
The Magistrate, Mrs F. F. George, admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum.
George said that the sureties should be gainfully employed and show evidence of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
The prosecutor, Sgt. Godwin Awase had told the court that the accused committed the offences on April 24, at Ajayi Road, Ogba, Lagos.
Awase said that the accused obtained N260,000 from the complainant, Mr Jide Olaleye, with the pretext of using the money to purchase buckets of paint.
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“The accused collected the money to buy paint for the painting of the complainant’s school.
“He absconded with the money and efforts made by the complainant to retrieve his money or get the job done proved unsuccessful as the accused refused to pick his calls.
“He was later arrested and handed over to the police,” the prosecutor said.
The offences violated Sections 287 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 prescribes 15 years for obtaining money under false pretences.
The case was adjourned until July 17, for the mention.
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