A 53-year-old man, Taiwo Ademola, on Friday appeared before a Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos over alleged N30,000 fraud.
He was, however, released on bail in the sum of N100,000.
Ademola, who resides at Agege area of Lagos, is facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, obtaining by false pretences and stealing.
The Prosecutor, SP Thomas Nurudeen told the court that the accused committed the offences with another, still at large on Sept. 1 at 6 p.m. at Agbotikuyo area of Agege.
Nurudeen said that the accused met the complainant, Miss Blessing Okori, telling her that he was a foreigner and had just imported some stationery for sale, which were at the Apapa port.
He said that the accused told Okori that if she give him N30,000 to pay the import agent, they could share the profits from the sale of the goods.
“The complainant gave the accused N14,000 cash and her ATM card to withdraw the balance of the money (N16,000) he had requested for.
“My Lord, according to Okori, she had no recollection of the whole event, starting from when the accused had opened his bag to show her proof of the shipment.
“When she got back to her senses, the accused was nowhere to be found. This is also not the first time he is committing this offence,” Nurudeen said.
The offences contravened Sections 287, 314 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).
The accused pleaded not guilty to the offence of obtaining by false pretences but pleaded guilty to the offences of conspiracy and stealing.
In her ruling, the Chief Magistrate, Mrs K.B. Ayeye, granted the accused bail in the sum of N100,000 with one surety in like sum.
Ayeye said the surety must reside within the court’s jurisdiction; show two years evidence of tax payment to Lagos State Government and be gainfully employed.
She adjourned the case until Feb. 7, 2019. (NAN)