Justice

A 64-year-old engineer, Chikezie Sibeudu, on Wednesday appeared before a Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos over alleged N1 million fraud.

Sibeudu, who lives at Alago Meji, Yaba, is facing a count charge of obtaining by false pretences, but he pleaded not guilty.

According to the Prosecutor, ASP Thomas Nurudeen, the accused defrauded Mr David Kehinde

in July at No. 62, Ojuelegba Road, Surulere, Lagos.

Nurudeen said that the complainant (Kehinde) supplied the accused buckets of paint worth N1.7 million but the accused paid him N700,000 and refused to pay the balance.

He submitted that the accused paid the N700,000 in July and promised to pay the balance before October.

“My Lord, the accused did not make any other payment; he closed his office, switched off his phones and was unavailable till the police was able to apprehend him,” the prosecutor said.

According to him, the offence contravenes Section 312 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the section stipulates a 15-year jail term for obtaining by false pretences.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs K.B. Ayeye, granted the accused bail in the sum of N250,000 with one surety in like sum.

Ayeye ordered that the surety should be gainfully employed and show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

The case was adjourned until Feb. 27 for mention.