A 49-year-old meat seller, who allegedly obtained cow meat worth N259,000 from a butcher under false pretences, was on Thursday brought before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court.
The accused, Toyin Joshua, a resident of Agege area of Lagos, pleaded not guilty to a two-count charge of false pretences and stealing.
The Prosecutor, Insp. Mathew Akhaluode told the court that the accused committed the offences sometime in December 2016 at Abattoir Cattle Market, Oko Oba, Agege, a Lagos suburb.
He alleged that Joshua bought meat worth N259, 000 from the complainant, Garuba Bello, with a promise to pay back after selling the meat, but failed to do so.
“Joshua, who had no intention of returning the money after selling the meat, converted the money to personal use and started giving excuses.
“When the complainant got tired of his excuses, he reported the case to the police and Joshua was arrested,” he said.
The offences contravened Sections 285 and 312 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 285 stipulates three years, while Section 312 prescribes 15 years imprisonment for offenders.
The Magistrate, Mrs Y.R. Pinheiro, in her ruling, granted the accused bail in the sum of N100, 000 with two sureties in like sum.
She said the sureties must be gainfully employed and also show evidence of three years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
The magistrate adjourned the case to March 23 for mention.