Three exporters aided by the Police, arraigned a 37-year-old clearing agent, Dele Rotimi, on Thursday before an Apapa Magistrates’ Court for allegedly defrauding them of N1.8 million at Apapa.
Rotimi is facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, stealing and false pretence.
The prosecutor, Inspector Feddy Asu, told the court that the defendant committed the offences sometimes in the month of May 2018 at Apapa.
“The defendant conspired together with others at large to steal the sum of N850,000 from one Sadiku Yusuf, N680,000 from one Azeez Bashiru and the sum of N300,000 from one Deji Mukaila. The total sum being N1,830,000,” Asu said.
The prosecutor also said that the defendant obtained the money with the pretence that he would provide truck for them to export their goods which he knew to be false.
According to him, the offences are punishable under sections 411, 287(5)(6) and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.
The defendant however pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him.
Magistrate Mukaila Fadeyi granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500,000 with one surety.
The surety, according to the Magistrate must furnish the court with proof of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
He adjourned the matter till January 17, 2019 for mention.
