Scales of Justice

A 47-year-old auto mechanic, Ayinde Popoola, who allegedly defrauded a customer of N500,000 under the pretext of repairing his car, was on Tuesday appeared in an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.

Popoola was arraigned before Magistrate Mrs F.F. George, on a two-count charge of obtaining money under false pretences and stealing.

The accused, who resides at Orile-Agege, Lagos, however, pleaded not guilty and was admitted to a bail of N100, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

George said that the sureties should be gainfully employed and show evidence of payment of two years tax to the Lagos State Government (LASG).

The prosecutor, Sgt. Godwin Awase, told the court that the accused committed the offences in April at Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos.

He said that the accused obtained N500, 000 from the complainant, Mr Olaniyi Ogunbode, with pretext of repairing his car brain box but knowing same to be false.

He said: “After the accused collected the money, he was nowhere to be found while efforts made by the complainant to get his money proved unsuccessful.

“The accused was later arrested and handed over to the police.”
The offences violated Sections 287 and 314 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015(Revised).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 287 stipulates three years imprisonment for stealing while Section 314 prescribes 15 years for obtaining money under false pretences.

Further hearing in the case has been fixed for July 7.