A 57-year-old clearing agent, Vincent Ikekeregor, who allegedly obtained N14 million on the pretext of clearing two containers of wine, was on Monday arraigned before a Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.
He was, however, released on bail in the sum of N500, 000 and two sureties in like sum.
The Chief Magistrate, P. A. Ojo, who gave the ruling, said the sureties must be blood relations of the accused from the father’s side, who must show evidence of three years tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
Ikekeregor, whose address is unknown, is standing trial on a four-count charge of obtaining money by false pretences, forgery, possession of illegal documents and stealing.
The accused, however, pleaded innocent of the offences.
The Police Prosecutor, Insp. Romanus Unuigbe, told the court that Ikekeregor committed the offences sometime in June 2016 at Apapa, Lagos.
“Ikekeregor obtained the total sum of N14 million from the complainant, Timitimi Ebibomo, after persuading him that he could clear two containers of Our Lady Queen of Nigeria Mass wine.
“He forged a Customs manifest dated Nov. 24, 2016 and Risk Assessment Report Number BA 0112016003352 dated Nov. 29, 2016.
“Ikekeregor also backed his fraudulent act by procuring the execution of a valuable document to show that the containers were secured,’’ Unuigbe said.
According to the prosecutor, the offences contravene Sections 287 (9), (b), 314 (1), 322 and 365 (3), (f) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015 (Revised).
The case was adjourned until Aug. 4 for mention.
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