62-year-old docked over N1.4m fraud

A 62-year-old clearing agent, who allegedly obtained N1.4 million on the pretext of assisting an importer clear his goods at the port, has been before a Surulere Chief Magistrate Court in Lagos.

The accused, Sebastine Orji, a resident of Apapa area of Lagos, is facing a three- count charge of obtaining by conspiracy, false pretences and stealing.

Jimah Iseghede, a police sergeant told the court that the accused committed the offences on March 18, 2013 at No. 3, Ad- eyemi Street, Orile-Iganmu, Lagos.

Iseghede said that the accused fraudu- lently obtained the sum of N1.4 million from one James Mba, on the pretext of assisting him to clear his goods from the port.

According to the prosecutor, the ac- cused did not clear the goods as promised and also refused to refund the money when it was demanded, an offence he argued contravened sections 285, 312 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. Section 312 of the criminal law stipu- lates 15 years’ imprisonment for anyone culpable of obtaining by false pretences.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The chief magistrate, A.F. Adeeyo , granted the accused bail in the sum of N200,000, with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case till Aug.8 for mention. (NAN)