A 57-year old contractor, Austin Atobatele, was on Wednesday brought before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos over alleged N2.35 million fraud.
Atobatele, who resides at No 8, Baale Aliu Str., Ajangbadi, Ojo area of Lagos State, is facing a four-count bordering on obtaining money under pretence and stealing.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Prosecutor, Sgt. Ishola Samuel, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on June 25, 2018 at his residence.
He alleged that the defendant obtained N2.35 million from the complainant, one Mr Godwin Ngene, under the pretence of selling a parcel of the land to him.
“Atobatele also collected N500,000 from Ngene that he would use the money to fence the land for him.”
Samuel alleged that the defendant intentionally swindled the complainant as he had refused to refund the money to him nor provide him with the parcel of land.
“When the complainant requested for the refund of his money, he refused, saying that he used it for his personal use,’’ the prosecutor said.
He 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 for any convicted offender.
The Magistrate, Mrs I.A. Abina, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N300,000 with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case until July 29 for mention. (NAN)