Three men were on Friday docked at an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly defrauding the Amalgamated Bags and Shoes Sellers Association (ABASSA) of N3.5 million.
The accused— Festus Ohanach, 50; Donatus Obiakwu, 57; and Cyprian Anurudu, 57 — who all reside at Bolade area of Oshodi, Lagos State, are facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, obtaining under false pretenses and stealing.
Police Prosecutor Edet Okoi told the court that the accused committed the offences with some others still at large in 2016 at Moyosore Aboderin Shopping Mall, Bolade Junction, Oshodi.
He alleged that the accused obtained N3.5million from the complainant with the pretext that he would sell seven shops to them, a representation they knew was false.
“The accused diverted the money into other uses. All efforts made by the complainant to get a refund proved abortive,” Okoi said.
Okoi said the offences contravened Sections 287, 314 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 287 stipulates a three-year jail term for offenders.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
In her ruling, Chief Magistrate O.A. Layinka granted the accused bail in the sum of N1 million each with two sureties each in like sum.
She said the sureties should be gainfully employed and they should be blood relations of the accused.
Layinka, adjourned the case until Jan. 26, 2018 for trial. (NAN)
