A 55-year-old man, Lawrence Boluwaji, who allegedly obtained N1.1 million on pretext of selling a plot of land, on Wednesday appeared before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court, Lagos State.
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Boluwaji, whose address was not given, is standing trial on a three-count charge of conspiracy, fraud and stealing.
He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The prosecutor, Sgt. Cyriacus Osuji, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on July 22, 2019, at Alakun Baba-Adisa Village, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos.
Osuji said that the defendant fraudulently obtained the sum from the complainant, Mrs Loveth Odeh, under the guise of selling a plot of land to her.
He said that the defendant did not sell the land to the complainant and did not return the money but converted it to his own use.
He said that the offences contravened Sections 287, 314 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
Section 287 provides three years’ imprisonment for stealing, Section 314 provides for 15 years’ jail term for fraud, while Section 411 stipulates two years’ imprisonment for conspiracy.
The Magistrate, Mrs M. O. Ope-Agbe, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500, 000 with one surety in like sum.
She ordered that the surety must be gainfully employed and show means of identification to the court.
She adjourned the case until March 5, for mention.