A 37-year-old businessman, Tajudeen Junaid, on Wednesday, appeared before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly obtaining the sum of N420,000 to dig a borehole for a customer.
Junaid, who resides at Ikola, Ipaja, Lagos State, was arraigned before Magistrate S.K. Matepo on a two-count charge of obtaining money under false pretences and stealing.
The defendant, however, denied committing the offences and was granted N100,000 bail with two sureties in like sum.
Matepo said that the sureties should be gainfully employed and must show evidences of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
The Prosecution Counsel, ASP Clifford Ogu, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on November 19, at Otubu, Agege, Lagos State.
Ogu said that the defendant obtained the sum of N420,000 from the complainant, Bushirat Okanlawon, on the pretext of helping her to dig a borehole.
“After the defendant collected the money through bank transfer, he refused to dig the borehole.
“Efforts made by the complainant to make the defendant dig the borehole or return her money were unsuccessful.
“The case was reported to the police leading to the arrest of the defendant,” the prosecutor said.
He added that the offences contradicted sections 287 and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Section 287 stipulates three years imprisonment for stealing, while Section 314 prescribes 15 years for obtaining money under false pretences.
The magistrate adjourned the case until January 25 for mention.
(NAN).
