Lagos- A journalist, who allegedly obtained N275,000 on the pretext of assisting a man to secure a visa to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), on Tuesday appeared before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court.
Forty-five-year-old Adesola Adeniyi, who resides at No. 1, Kareem Oyelade St., Papa Ashafa in Agege, Lagos, is facing a two-count charge of obtaining by false pretences and stealing.
The prosecutor Insp. Edet Okoi, told the court that the accused defrauded Mr Olufemi Adekoya on Aug. 23 at his residence.
He said that Adeniyi’s friend had introduced him to Adekoya to assist him to procure a visa to UAE.
Okoi said that the sum collected by the accused included the cost of a flight ticket to Dubai.
“He failed to provide a valid visa and the ticket, and absconded with the money,’’ he said.
The prosecutor said that the journalist was arrested following a formal complaint by Adekoya at a police station.
Okoi said that the offences contravened Sections 312 and 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Section 312 prescribes 15 years imprisonment for obtaining by false pretences, while section 285 provides for two years imprisonment for stealing.
The accused however, pleaded not guilty.
The Magistrate, Miss A.R. Onilogbo, granted him N200,000 bail with one surety in like sum, and adjourned the case to Dec. 11 for hearing. (NAN)
