A 36-year-old clearing agent, Tobi Vincent, was on Friday arraigned before an Apapa Magistrate’s Court for allegedly defrauding three people of a total sum of N5,770,000 to clear vehicles at Tin Can Island Port, Apapa.
Vincent is facing three different cases on the allegation. Each of the case comprises a two-count charge of false pretence and fraud.
In the first case, police prosecutor, Sergeant Adeniyi Balogun, told the court the defendant committed the offences between October 2018 and March 2019 at Apapa.
“The defendant, with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of N3,650,000 from one Sylvester Okeke with the pretence of purchasing Toyota Highlander car for him which he failed to do,” Balogun said.
In the second case, the defendant was accused of obtaining N1,100,000 from one Nnachi Michael Ikenna in January 2019 at Tin Can Island Port, Lagos with the pretence of selling one Corolla 2006 car to him which he failed to do.
In the third case, Vincent was accused of defrauding one Adu Kayode of the sum of N1.02 million on April 12, 2019 at Tin Can Island Port.
According to the prosecutor, “The defendant, with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of N1,020,000 from one Adu Kayode with the pretence of clearing one DAF truck and Mercedes car which he failed to do.”
According to him, the offences are punishable under sections 314(3) and 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
Magistrate Olukayode Kadiri granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500,000 in the first case, N200,000 in the second case and N500,000 in the third. He was also ordered to produce two sureties in like sum in each case.
The three cases were adjourned the case till June 21, 2019 for mention.