Customs agent in court for N4m fraud

arrested man with handcuff

A 35-year-old customs agent, Obinwaune Uzuegbu was on Wednesday arraigned before an Apapa Magistrates’ Court for allegedly defrauding one Don Ohakure of N4 million in Lagos.

Uzuegbu is facing a three-count charge bothering on false pretence, stealing and issuing dud cheque.

The prosecutor, Sergeant Marvellous Obongha told the court that the defendant committed the offences on August 1, 2017 at about 2pm at 2nd Avenue Festac Town, Lagos.

“The defendant obtained the sum of N4 million from One Don Ohakure under pretence that he was going to purchase a Toyota Highlander 2011 model for him (Ohakure) which he knew to be false,” Obongha said.

The prosecutor added that the defendant stole the sum of N4 million through Diamond Bank account number 0032245412 property of one Don Ohakure.

Obongha also said that the defendant issued Diamond Bank cheque leaflet number: 8507549 and 85075747 dated 15th November, 2017 and 15th December, 2017 in favour of Don Ohakure, the sum of N4 million but when the cheque was presented it was dishonoured on the ground that no funds or insufficient funds were standing on the credit of the drawer of the cheque in the bank on which the cheque was drawn.

According to him, the offences are punishable under sections 314(1)(a), 287(5)(a) and 315(b) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.

The Magistrate, K.A. Ariyo granted the defendant bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties each in like sum who must be gainfully employed with evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

The Magistrate ordered that N50,000 should be deposited with the Court Registrar.

She adjourned the case till September 9, 2018 for mention.