A 35-year-old clearing agent, Tunde Balogun, was on Thursday arraigned before an Apapa Magistrate’s Court for allegedly stealing the sum of N800,000 to clear vehicles at Tin Can Port, Apapa.
Balogun is facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, obtaining under false pretence and stealing.
The prosecutor, Inspector Edet Ekpo, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on July 7, 2019 at about 11am at Mile 2 area of Lagos State.
“The defendant conspired with one other at large with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of N800,000 from one Catherine Matthew under the pretence to clear three vehicles namely; two unregistered Toyota Hiace buses and one unregistered Honda car for her from Tin Can, Apapa, a representation he knew to be false,”Ekpo said.
Ekpo added that the defendant stole the sum of N800,000 property of one Catherine Matthew.
According to him, the offences are punishable under sections 411, 314(1)(a) and 287(5)(a) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to all the charges against him.
Magistrate Adenike Alaka granted him N100,000 bail with two responsible sureties each in like sum.
The sureties are required to furnish the court with evidence of tax payment to Lagos State Government.
She adjourned the matter till August 29, 2019 for mention.