A trader, Nneka Ugbede, 46, was on Monday docked before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly defrauding a woman of N1.155 million under the pretext of selling a portion of land to her.
Ugbede, who resides at 6, Balogun Street in the Ilasamaja area of Lagos State, is facing a two-count of obtaining money under pretence and stealing.
The Prosecutor, Insp. Edet Akadu said that Ugbede committed the offences between March 7, 2014, and Jan. 8, 2019, at the Ilasamaja area of Isolo, Lagos.
He said that the defendant obtained N1.155 million from the complainant, Mrs Olubunmi Adeosun, under the pretext of selling land to her.
Akadu alleged that Ugbede intentionally swindled the complainant because he failed to refund the money to her, neither did he provide the portion of land.
“When the complainant requested for the refund of her money, she refused, saying that she used it for her personal use,’’ the prosecutor said.
The offences contravened Sections 287 and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 314 prescribes a 15-year jail term for obtaining money under pretence.
The defendant denied committing the offences.
The Magistrate, Mr K.O. Ogundare granted her bail in the sum of N200, 000 with two sureties in like sum.
She said that the sureties must be gainfully employed and should own land within the jurisdiction of the court and adjourned the case until May 16, for mention.