Businessman In Court Over N24m Fraud

For allegedly defrauding a man of N24million, a 36-year-old businessman, Isah Mohammed, was on Monday brought before an Ikeja Magistrate’s’ Court in Lagos.

Mohammed, a resident of Badagry area of Lagos State, is being tried for fraud and stealing.

According to the prosecutor, Sgt. Emmanuel Ajayi, the accused committed the offences sometime in the month of May at Ladipo market, Mushin, Lagos.

He said that the accused ran away with N24 million belonging to Mr Chinedu Fredrick.

“The accused bolted with the money to an unknown destination,’’ he said.

Ajayi said that the complainant, who was a businessman, gave money to the accused to help him send to a person’s account in China, who will help him buy his goods.

“The accused collected the money and disappeared into thin air.

“Efforts made to collect the money back proved unsuccessful as the accused refused to pick his calls.

“The accused was later arrested and handed over to the police,” he said.

The offences contravened Sections 287 and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015(Revised).

Section 314 prescribes a 15-year jail term for fraud.

The accused pleaded innocence of the offences and was granted bail in the sum of N1million, with two sureties in like sum.

The Magistrate, Mrs F.A Azeez, said that the sureties should be gainfully employed and show evidence of two years tax payments to the Lagos State Government.

The case was adjourned until Sept. 19, for mention.