Clearing Agent In Trouble Over Missing Container
Men of the Nigeria Police Force, Special Fraud Unit (SFU), Milverton road, Ikoyi Lagos State, southwest Nigeria, have arrested a clearing and forwarding agent over a missing container worth N8 million.
The agent, Agozie Onyia, 34, a native of Aru-Oma village, Amaokweudi Local Government Area, Enugu State, was arrested on Monday outside the premises of Ebute-Metta Magistrate’s Court, Lagos, where he is currently standing trial for fraud-related offences.
Prior to his arrest on Monday, Onyia had been arraigned before an Ebute-Metta Magistrate’s Court, on a two-count charge of fraud and stealing.
He was alleged to have collected N1.6 million from Prince Emmanuel Chukwunyere on the pretence that he was in a position to clear a 20-foot container of goods worth N8 million. He, however, failed to clear the container or refund the money.
The prosecuting police officer, Sergeant Paul Inedu, said the offences were punishable under Section 419 and 390(9) of the Criminal Code Cap. C 17, Vol.2, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2003.
But Onyia pleaded not guilty to the charge and he was granted bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum by the presiding magistrate of the court, Mrs. Folashade Kayode.
When the case came up on Monday for mention his counsel, Mr. Lucky Ajeigbo and the complainant’s counsel, Mr. Edwin Madubuofu, were at the court, but the magistrate adjourned the case till 25 May, 2011, for trial.
However, the agent was re-arrested outside the court premises by security operatives from the Special Fraud Unit. It was gathered that the action of the SFU operatives was the result of a petition written by Prince Chukwunyere against the clearing agent, over the accused person’s inability to produce the container.
—Paul Sanusi
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