Man Sent To Prison For Duping Businessman $30,000

Paul Iyoghojie

A 31-year old man, Anthony Okonji has been arrested and arraigned before a Lagos Magistrate Court for allegedly obtaining the sum of $30,000 (N9.84 million) from one Yusufu Zakanji with a promise to exchange the money to Naira equivalent for him, but instead converted the dollars to his personal use.

The accused was arrested by the operatives of the Federal Investigation and Intelligence Department, FCIID, Alagbon, Ikoyi, Lagos following a complaint by Zakanji,

The accused was charged before an Igbosere Magistrate Court on a two-count charge of felony to wit, obtaining money under false pretence and stealing.

Police Counsel, Susan Ezema informed the court in charge No G/13/2018 that the accused committed the offence on 23 and 25 May,2017 in Lagos.

Ezema told the court that the accused collected the sum of $30,000 from the complainant with a promise to pay him back the Naira equivalent of N9,840,000 but that the accused instead converted the dollar to his use and failed to honour his promise.

She said the offences the accused committed were punishable under sections 323(1) and 312(1) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2011.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges and Chief Magistrate W. Balogun granted him bail in the sum of N5m with two sureties in like sum one of whom must be property owner in Lagos.

Balogun adjourned the case till 17 April, 2018 for mention and ordered that the defendant be kept in prison custody till he fulfilled the bail conditions.