Car dealer docked over alleged N8m fraud

A car dealer, Zephaniah Okoli, 53, who allegedly converted his customer’s car worth eight million naira to his own use was on Friday re-arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.

Okoli, residing at 40, Ogbogoru Road Ozouba in Port Harcourt was standing trial on a two-count charge bordering on fraud.

The accused was first arraigned sometime in December 2015 but the case was recently struck out due to the absence of the prosecutor handling the matter.

The new Prosecutor, Corporal Cyriacus Osuji, told court that the accused committed the alleged offences sometime in October 2013 in Lagos.

He said that Okoli fraudulently converted a 2006 Range Rover L3 model, valued at N8 million property of one Francis Onwuka to his own use.

Osuji said that the accused pretended to assist Onwuka to sell the vehicle but converted it to his own use.

“Okoli forged the particulars of the vehicle with the intent to defraud the public,” Osuji said.

The prosecutor said that the alleged offences contravened Sections 312 and 363 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty.

The Magistrate, Mr P. A. Adekumaiya, admitted the accused to bail in the sum of two million naira with two sureties in like sum.

Adekumaiya said that the sureties should be gainfully employed and must show evidence of tax payment.

He adjourned the case till June 2 for mention.