Salesman docked over N4.3m fraud

A 30-year-old salesman, Jamiu Olawale, on Thursday appeared at a Yaba Magistrates’ Court in Lagos, for allegedly defrauding two people N4.3 million.

Olawale, who resides in Lagos Island, is facing a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, stealing and obtaining money by false pretence.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The Prosecutor, Sgt. Godwin Oriabure told the court that the defendant committed the offence in 2018 at an Electronics Store at No. 27, Idolowo St., Lagos Island, Lagos.

Oriabure said the defendant defrauded two of his employer’s customers Mr Odera Umejiego and Mr Chukwudi Mgbemena, by asking them to invest their money to clear a container at the port for a percentage.

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He said that Olawale told the complainants, to invest by paying to clear the container and receive a percentage from the sales of the goods.

“He knew that he had no container of electronics at the port, but went ahead to collect N1.6million from Umejiego and N2.7million from Mgbemena which he squandered.

“He has been on the run since 2018 but was recently tracked down and apprehended,” he said.

The offence contravened sections 411, 287 and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015 (Revised).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 287 stipulates a three-year jail term for the stealing, while Section 314 carries 15 years for obtaining by false pretence.

The Magistrate, Mrs E.N. Ojuromi, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N350,000 with two sureties in like sum.
Ojuromi ordered that one of the sureties must be above 40 years of age.

She said both sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction with evidence of three years tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

The magistrate adjourned the case till February 24 for mention.

(NAN)