An estate agent, Bartholomew Ndu, who allegedly defrauded an accommodation seeker, Amaka Maduekwe of N154, 000, was on Wednesday in Lagos granted N100, 000 bail.
An Ikeja Magistrates’ Court which gave the ruling, also granted Ndu, 56, two sureties in like sum as part of the bail condition.
The Magistrate, Mr A.J. Adegun, said the sureties must show evidence of three years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government and must reside in Lagos State.
The accused, who resides at 7B, Ayo Idowu St., Iju-Ishaga, a suburb of Lagos, is facing a two-count charge of stealing and obtaining money under false pretences.
The Prosecutor, Sgt. Raphael Donny, had told the court that the offences were committed on Feb. 5 at Mustapha Street, Iju- Ishaga.
Donny said the accused presented himself to the complainant as the caretaker of the shop she wanted rent.
“The accused collected N154, 000 from the complainant and failed to rent the shop to her.’’
The offences contravened Sections 285 and 312 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 285 prescribes a three-year imprisonment for offenders, while Section 312 (3) provides 15-year imprisonment for false pretences.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty.
The magistrate adjourned the case to June 13 for mention.