A 45-year-old female clearing agent, Blessing Patrick Okoi, was on Friday arraigned before an Apapa Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing a total sum of N3.91 million from three men to clear their vehicles at Tin Can Island Port.
Okoi is facing a six-count charge bordering on false pretence and stealing.
The prosecutor, Inspector Edet Ekpo, told the court that the defendant committed the offences between May/June 2018 at Tin Can.
“The defendant fraudulently obtained the sum of N2,270,000 from one Habibu Yau Ibrahim, on the pretext that she would clear two vehicles for him, a representation she knew to be false.
“However, she stole the sum of N2,270,000 belonging to one Habibu Yau Ibrahim.
“The defendant also fraudulently obtain the sum of N640,000 from one Nwigbo Godfrey, on the pretext that she would clear one vehicle for him, a representation she knew to be false.
“Instead, she stole the sum of N640,000 property of one Nwigbo Godfrey,” Ekpo said.
The prosecutor added that the defendant fraudulently obtain the sum of N1 million from one Madueke Emmanuel Uche, on the pretext that she would clear one vehicle for him, a representation she knew to be false.
Ekpo said the defendant stole the sum of N1 million from one Madueke Emmanuel Uche.
According to him, the offences are punishable under section 314 (i)(a) and 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.
The defendant however, pleaded not guilty to all the charges against her.
Magistrate O.A Erinle granted the defendant bail in the sum of N1 million with two responsible sureties in like sum.
The sureties, according to the Magistrate, must furnish the court with six months bank statement and proof of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
She adjourned the case till September 27 for mention.
In a separate matter, a 32-year-old clearing agent, Amaechi Okocha, was on Friday arraigned before an Apapa Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing N500,000 from one Amanda Uche in Apapa.
Okocha is facing a two-count charge bordering on false pretence and stealing.
The prosecutor, Sergeant Marvellous Ogbongha, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on July 6, 2018 at about 9am at Diamond Bank Plc, Olodi/Apapa.
“The defendant obtained the sum of N500,000 from one Amanda Uche with the pretext that he was going to supply plumbing materials, a representation which he knew to be false,” Ogbongha said.
The prosecutor added that the defendant stole N500,000 for failing to refund the money.
According to him, the offences are punishable under section 314 and 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.
Magistrate O.S Abioye granted the defendant bail in the sum of N100,000 with two responsible sureties in like sum.
The sureties, according to the Magistrate, must furnish the court with evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
He adjourned the case till September 27, 2018 for mention.
