25th August, 2017
A 27-year-old trader, Usman Mohammed, who allegedly obtained 52 pieces of animal skin worth N1.1 million from his colleague under false pretences, on Friday appeared before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court.
Mohammed, who resides in Agege area of Lagos State, is facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, stealing and obtaining under false pretences.
The prosecutor, Insp. Simeon Imhonwa told the court that the accused committed the offences with one other still at large on July 12 at Allen Avenue, Ikeja in Lagos State.
He said the accused obtained the animal skin from the complainant, Mr Kazeem Akorede, with a promise to pay him after selling them; a presentation he knew was false.
Imhonwa said that when the complainant did not get any feedback from the accused he decided to confront him.
“The accused, which had no intention of paying the money, sold off the animal skin and converted its proceeds to his personal use.
“All efforts by the complainant to collect his money from the accused proved abortive.
“The complainant reported the matter to the police and the accused was arrested,’’ he said.
Imhonwa said the offences contravened Sections 287, 314 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015(Revised).
Section 314 prescribes a 15-year-jail term for obtaining under false pretences, while Section 411 stipulates two years’ imprisonment for conspiracy.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The chief magistrate, Mrs B.O Osunsanmi, granted him bail in the sum of N300,000 with two sureties in like sum.
She said the sureties should be gainfully employed and they should show evidence of two years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
Osunsanmi adjourned the case until Oct. 2 for mention.