By Moronke Boboye
Lagos – A 48-year-old businessman, Bayo Oyewole, who allegedly obtained N800, 000 from his friend on the pretext of assisting him to buy a car, on Thursday appeared before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates Court.
The accused, who resides at 4, Aina St., Okokomaiko, Lagos, is facing a two-count charge of obtaining by false pretences and stealing.
He, however, pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Insp. Raji Akeem, told the court that the accused committed the offences on Nov. 29, 2015, at Okokomaiko.
“The complainant, Mr Saheed Ayobami, and the accused are acquaintances; the accused told the complainant that he was into buying and selling of cars.
“The compliant gave the accused the sum of N800,000 to help him to buy a used Toyota Camry.
“The accused, promised to deliver the car within a week, but the accused relocated to an unknown place and his mobile phone numbers switched off.
“The case was reported at a police station in February 2016,’’ he said.
Akeem said that the complainant eventually saw the accused on Aug. 19.
“Abayomi held Oyewole by his shirt and called for help from passers-by to apprehend him.
“With the help of the passers-by, the accused was dragged to a nearby police station, where he was arrested,’’ the prosecutor said.
The offences contravene Sections 287 and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Jadesola Adeyemi-Ajayi, granted the accused N200,000 bail with two sureties in like sum.
She adjourned the case until Oct. 23 for mention.