By Deborah Akpede
Ikeja – A 39-year-old businessman, Olanrenwaju Coker, charged with obtaining N1 million under the pretext of bringing a car from overseas for a woman, on Friday appeared before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.
The defendant, residing in Ipaja area of Lagos, was docked before Magistrate Y.O Aje-Afunwa on a three-count charge of breach of peace, obtaining money under false pretences and stealing.
Coker, however, denied committing the offences.
Aje-Afunwa admitted the defendant to a bail of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.
The magistrate said that the sureties should be gainfully employed and show evidence of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
The Prosecutor, ASP. Peter Nwagwu, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on March 10 at Ipaja, Lagos.
Nwagwu said that the defendant fraudulently obtained the money from Mrs Nneka Okoli with the pretext of bringing a Toyota Camry car for her.
“After collecting the money from the complainant, he refused to bring the said car for her.
“Efforts made by the complainant to get her car or money proved unsuccessful as the defendant threatened to deal with her if she called him again,” the prosecutor said.
He said that the complainant reported the case to the police, leading to the arrest of the defendant.
The alleged offences contravened Sections 166, 287 and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 287 prescribes three years jail term for stealing.
Section 314 attracts 15 years for obtaining money under false pretences.
Aje-Afunwa adjourned the case until Nov. 4 for mention.