Clearing Agent Charged N.75m Fraud

Police from the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Panti, Yaba, Lagos, southwest Nigeria, have arraigned a clearing agent before an Ebute-Metta Magistrate’s Court, Oyingbo, for fraud.

The clearing agent, Obakemi Adeniyi, 45, of Obass International Company Nigeria Limited, located on 21, Wharf Road, Apapa, was alleged to have defrauded Mrs. Abiodun Lawal of N750,000, under the pretence of assisting her to clear three trucks.

Adeniyi, a resident of 12 Chidi Street, Awodiora Estate, Apapa-Ajegunle, was alleged to have collected the said amount from the victim in April, 2011.But when he could not clear the trucks, he refused to refund the money and Lawal reported the matter to the police. He was arrested and arraigned on a three count-charge of conspiracy and fraud.

Count two of the charge read: “that you Obakemi Adeniyi and others now at large, sometime in April, 2011, at about 12 noon at Apapa in the Lagos Magisterial district with intent to defraud, did obtain from one Mrs. Abiodun Lawal, the sum of N750,000, under the pretence that you were going clear three unregistered trucks with its flat body valued about N10 million out of Roro Port Tin Can Island, Apapa, Lagos, a representation you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 419 of the Criminal Code Cap. C 17, Vol. II, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2003.”

He pleaded not guilty to the charge and Mrs. M. O. Olajuwon, the presiding magistrate granted him bail in the sum of N200,000, with two sureties in like sum. The sureties, the magistrate  ordered, must be gainfully employed and show evidence of three years tax payment to Lagos state government.

The matter has been adjourned till 20 December, 2011 for mention.

— Paul Sanusi