A 37-year-old businessman, Tajudeen Junaid, on Wednesday appeared before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly obtaining N420,000 on the pretext of digging a borehole.
Junaid, who resides at Ikola, Ipaja, Lagos State, was arraigned before Magistrate S.K. Matepo on a two-count charge of obtaining money under false pretences and stealing.
The defendant, however, denied committing the offences and was granted N100, 000 bail with two sureties in like sum.
Matepo said that the sureties should be gainfully employed and show evidence of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
The Prosecution Counsel, ASP Clifford Ogu, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on Nov. 19 at Otubu, Agege, Lagos State.
Ogu said that the defendant obtained the sum of N420,000 from the complainant, Mrs Bushirat Okanlawon, on the pretext of helping her to dig a bolehole.
“After the defendant collected the money through bank transfer, he refused to dig the bolehole.
“Efforts made by the complainant to make the defendant dig the bolehole or to retrieve her money were unsuccessful.
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“The case was reported to the police leading to the arrest of the defendant,” the prosecutor said.
He said the offences violated sections 287 and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
Phenomenal reports that section 287 stipulates three years’ imprisonment for stealing, while section 314 prescribes 15 years for obtaining money under false pretences.
The magistrate adjourned the case until Jan. 25 for mention.
