40-year-old man, Sunday Hunpe, on Wednesday appeared in a Badagry Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, for allegedly defrauding one Mr Whede Lawal of N500,000.
Hunpe, who lives at Agbovipe Compound, Ajara-Vetho, Badagry, is facing a two-count charge of fraud and stealing.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The prosecutor, ASP Clement Okuiomose, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on Jan. 21, at about 3:00 p.m. at the same address in Lagos.
Okuiomose said Hunpe allegedly collected the N500, 000 from Lawal, under the pretext of selling a parcel of land to him, the property which he refused to sell or refund the money.
He said the defendant rather converted the money to his personal use.
The prosecutor said the offences contravened sections 314 and 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos, 2015.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that Section 287 stipulates three years’ jail term for stealing.
The Chief Magistrate, Fadaunsi Adefioye, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N100, 000 with two sureties in like sum.
Adefioye said the sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and must present evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
The chief magistrate adjourned the case until Nov.11, for mention.
