By Ngozi Njoku
Lagos – A 55-year-old businessman, Uchenna Uneli, who allegedly defrauded his customer of N1.485million appeared before an Ogudu Magistrates’ Court, Lagos on Friday.
Uneli, who resides at Mile 12 area of Lagos State, is facing charges of obtaining by false pretences and stealing.
He, however, pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge.
The prosecutor, Insp. Donjour Perezi, told the court that the defendant committed the offences in November 2017 at Kosofe area of Mile 12 in Lagos State.
Perezi said that the defendant collected the sum from the complainant, one Mr Eze Okparaon.
The prosecutor also said that the defendant promised to supply copper wires and zinc materials to the complainant, a representation he knew was false.
He said that the defendant failed to supply the materials and also disappeared with the money.
“The complainant reported the matter to the police, who located and arrested the defendant,” the prosecutor said.
He said that the offences contravened Sections 287 and 314 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 287 stipulates three years’ jail term for stealing.
The magistrate, Mrs Bukola Mogaji, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N200, 000 with two sureties in like sum.
Mogaji adjourned the case until Jan. 30 for mention.
(NAN)