A 41-year-old businessman, Jimoh Rufai, charged with obtaining frozen fish worth N4m under false pretences, on Monday appeared before an Ogudu Magistrates’ Court, Lagos State.
Rufai, who resides at Ikorodu, Lagos, is facing three counts of obtaining money under false pretences, stealing and issuance of dud cheque.
He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The prosecutor, Insp Donjour Perezi, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on Oct. 13, 2021, at Ikorodu Road, Lagos.
Perezi said the defendant collected cartons of frozen fish from Bechemry Ltd. with a promise to sell the goods and remit the money to the company.
Perezi said that the defendant knew that the representation was false.
“The defendant collected the fish with an agreement to remit the money within three months but he failed to do so.
“When the complainant started demanding for the money, the defendant issued it a cheque of N4m that was dishonoured due to lack of funds.
“The case was reported to the police and the defendant was arrested,” the prosecutor said.
Perezi said the offences contravened Sections 287, 321 and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Section 287 stipulates three years’ imprisonment for stealing, while Section 314 prescribes 15 years’ jail term for obtaining money under false pretences.
The Magistrate, O.M. Ajayi, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500, 000 with two sureties in like sum.
Ajayi said the sureties must be gainfully employed and have evidence of two years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
She adjourned the case until March 16 for mention.