Man, 45, Docked for Alleged N876,000 Fraud

A 45-year-old businessman, Mide Hassan, on Thursday appeared before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court charged with defrauding a man of N876,000.

Hassan is standing trial for obtaining money under false pretences and stealing.

Following his plea of not guilty, Magistrate Mrs O.A. Layinka released him on bail of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.

Layinka said the sureties must be gainfully employed and show evidence of two years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

The defendant allegedly committed the offences on March 9 at Ilupeju, Lagos State.

The prosecutor, Insp. Lucky Ihiehie, told the court that the defendant fraudulently obtained the money from the complainant, Mr Julius Ebeleghe, on the pretext of using it to execute a project.

“The defendant collected the money from the complainant but failed to pay back.

“Efforts made by the complainant to get the money proved unsuccessful.

“The complainant reported the case, leading to the arrest of the defendant,” he submitted.

The alleged offences contravene Sections 287 and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

Supreme reports that Section 287 prescribes three years’ jail term for stealing while obtaining money under false pretences attracts 15 years’ imprisonment under Section 314.

The magistrate adjourned further hearing in the case until July 19.