23rd May, 2012
For allegedly obtaining N6 million from a customer to purchase a Mercedes 4 Matic Jeep from the United States of America, a claimed he knew was false, Victor Njoku, 40, a car dealer, has been arrested by the police at the Zone 2 Command, Onikan, Lagos State.
He was charged before an Igbosere magistrate’s court on a five-count charge of obtaining money under false pretence, stealing and issuing of dud cheques.
The police alleged in charge suit D/19/2012 that the accused was arrested following a complaint lodged by Fashola Olalekan that the accused on 14 August, 2009 at 30, Opebi Road, Ikeja, tricked him and collected N6 million from him to purchase Mercedes 4 Matic Jeep from USA for him after he introduced himself as a car dealer and importer.
But he failed to purchase the jeep and also refused to refund the money and all efforts to retrieve the money from him proved futile.
The police further stated that the accused on 8 May, 7 and 17 June 2010 issued an Oceanic Bank Plc cheque No. 20077283, 20077288 and 2077290 of N6 million in favour of Abiodun Ajibade which when presented were dishonoured for lack of money in the account, a deceit, according to the police, to permanently deprive Abiodun Ajibade of his money.
The offences, the prosecutor, Inspector Ibrahim Haruna said contravened Sections 312(1) (b), 285(5), 278(2), (a) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.
The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges and magistrate, A. F. O Botoku, granted him bail in the sum of N1 million with two sureties who must show proof of two years tax payment to the Lagos State government.
She also directed that one of the sureties must be a landed property owner within the court’s jurisdiction.
She adjourned the matter till 6 June, 2012 for mention.
The defendant was taken to Ikoyi Prison when he could not meet the bail conditions.
—Paul Iyoghojie