By Oluwatope Lawanson
Lagos – A 41-year-old businessman, Adeola Ayibiowu, on Monday appeared before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court over alleged N4.8 million fraud, stealing and presentation of dud cheque.
Ayibiowu, a resident of Ikotun, a Lagos suburb, however, pleaded not guilty to the three-count charge.
The prosecutor, Insp. Simeon Imhonwa, submitted that the accused obtained 14,450 copies of different craft books valued at N4.8 million from Mrs Nneka Osile under false pretences of paying for them after selling to his customers.
“The accused collected the said items from the complainant with the promise of remitting proceeds after selling to his clients at a book presentation he knew would not hold,’’ Imhonwa said.
He said that the accused committed the offences on Dec. 9, 2016, at Kasam Plaza, Ikotun.
“Ayibiowu also issued a Skye Bank cheque with No. 28971063 dated Jan. 31 in the sum of N3.5 million in favour of the complainant.
“The cheque was dishonoured because of insufficient funds,’’ the prosecutor said.
Imhonwa said that the accused converted proceeds from the sales for his personal use and absconded until he was apprehended by the police.
Chief Magistrate B.O. Osunsanmi granted the accused bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.
Osunsanmi said that the sureties must be gainfully employed and have evidence of two years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
She adjourned the case until Aug. 10 for substantive trial.
The News Agency of Nigeria NAN reports that the offences contravened Section 285, 312 and 319 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
The accused may spend up to three years in prison, if found guilty.