Managing Director sent to prison for fraud

Paul Iyoghojie

The Managing Director of Steven Dux Investment Limited, Chiedu Onyemachi Stephen, 46 has been arraigned before a Lagos magistrates’ court for allegedly obtaining N7m under false pretext.

He was also charged with an attempt to kidnap the complainant and unlawful possession of adulterated Wiper Bitters beverages.

The accused was arrested by operatives of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad, FSARS, at Adeniji Adele road, Lagos Island following a complaint by Mr. Francis Emezuo that the accused collected N7m from him to revive his business with a promise to pay back but instead he converted the money to his personal use and attempted to kidnap him.

After investigation by ASP Garuba Oseni and his team, the accused was arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrates Court on a five-count charge of felony to wit: obtaining money under false pretense and attempting to kidnap the complainant and unlawful display of Wiper Bitters beverages.

Police prosecutor, Nosa Uhumwangho, informed the court in charge No. C/58/2016 that the accused collected N7m from the complainant, Mr. Francis Emezue, to revive his Wiper Bitters beverage production company with a promise to pay back at an agreed time.

Uhumwangho told the court that the accused converted the money to his personal use. He said in an attempt to deny the complainant his money, he conspired with others now at large to kidnap him. He said the accused was also found displaying Wiper Biters beverages at his factory site at Ago Oloye area of Agbara, Lagos knowing full well that the product is unfit for human consumption.

Uhumwangbo said the offences contravened sections 312, 285, 158, 409 and 404 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2011. The accused pleaded not guilty to the alleged crime in the open court and Chief Magistrate A. O. Komolafe admitted him to bail in the sum of N5m with two sureties in like sum.

The sureties must also deposit the sum of N200,000 each into the court account.

Komolafe adjourned the case till 15 November, 2016 for mention while the defendant was taken to Ikoyi prison, Lagos pending his fulfillment of the bail conditions.