2 businessmen docked over N1.5m scam

Two businessmen, who allegedly obtained goods worth N1.5 million from a company under false pretences, were on Monday arraigned in an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.

The accused, Nwali Chekube, 30 and Adekunle Fatade, 33, both residents of Ibadan, are facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, obtaining money under false pretences and stealing.

The Prosecutor, Sgt. Donjor Perezi, told the court that the accused who entered a ‘not guilty plea’ committed the offences sometimes in 2016 at Liberty Devices Limited in Ikeja.

Perezi said that the duo obtained goods worth N1.5 million from Liberty Devices Limited on the pretext of paying them once the goods were sold.

The prosecutor said that when the company did not get any feedback from the accused, they decided to ask the duo for their money.

The accused were, however, said to be making excuses.

Perezi alleged that after much pressure on them by the company, the accused issued two cheques.

He said that when the complainant presented the cheque at the bank, it was dishonored due to lack of insufficient funds in the account of the accused.

“The company reported the case to the police and the accused were arrested,” Perezi said.

The offences contravened Sections 287, 314 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

Our correspondent reports that Section 314 prescribes a 15-year jail term for obtaining money under false pretences.

The Magistrate, Mrs O.A Layinka, granted the accused bail in the sum of N300,000 with two sureties each in like sum and adjourned the case till Sept. 29 for mention.