11th March, 2011
Two businessmen, Celestine Nwankwo, 62 and Abuchi Okoye, 30, have been arraigned before an Ebute-Metta Magistrate’s Court, Ebute-Metta, Lagos State by detectives from the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, Yaba, Lagos State, Southwest Nigeria on a three-count charge of conspiracy, stealing and fraud.
The businessmen were alleged to have obtained aluminum profiles worth N3,932, 700 from one Oliver Ugwu at Aluminum village, Dopemu Agege, on 12 August, 2010.
The accused obtained the products from the owner on the promise to pay back after sale but failed to keep to their promise. Following their failure to pay back as promised, the owner reported the matter to the police and they were arrested and arraigned before the court.
They were accused of committing conspiracy, fraud and stealing, offences punishable under Sections 516, 419 and 390 (8c) of the Criminal Code, Cap. C.17, Vol. 2, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2003.
Count two of the charge reads: ‘‘That you, Celestine Nwanko and Abuchi Okoye and others at large on 12 August, 2010, at the Aluminum village, Dopemu, Agege, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did obtain aluminium profiles valued at N3, 932, 700 from one Oliver Ugwu, under the pretence that you will pay for the said aluminum profiles, a representation you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 419 of the Criminal Code, Cap. C.17, Vol. 2, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2003.’’
The accused pleaded not guilty to the three-count charge and their counsel, Barrister Tunde Alade-Dauda urged the court to grant them bail on liberal terms.
The presiding magistrate, Mrs. Oyindamola Ogala, admitted them on bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties each.
Each of the sureties, according to the Chief Magistrate, must pay N250,000 each to the account of the court and show evidence of paying tax to the Lagos State government.
The matter has been adjourned till 7 April, 2011 for trial.
—Paul sanusi & Abosede Agboola