A 41-year-old man, John Ogbo, was on Wednesday arraigned before an Apapa Magistrate’s Court for allegedly stealing 16,339 litres of diesel worth N3.267 million in Lagos.
Ogbo is facing a three-count charge of fraud, stealing and issuing dud cheque.
The prosecutor, Inspector Iyobosa Onaiwu, told the court that the defendant committed the offences between May 30, 2018 and September 24, 2018 at about 12 p.m. at Plot 40c, Alakoso Industrial Layout, Amuwo-Odofin, Lagos.
“The defendant with intent to defraud obtained 16,339 litres of diesel valued at N3,267,800 from one Ideal Standard Services under the pretence that he was going to remit the proceed which he knew to be false.
“The defendant stole the 16,339 litres of diesel valued at N3,267,800 property of one Ideal Standard Services.
“The defendant issued a cheque leaflet of Zenith Bank with S/No 44842846 with the sum of N1,224,000 in favour of one Ideal Standard Services on August 1, 2018 at about 10am at Plot 40c, Alakoso Industrial Layout, Amuwo-Odofin, Lagos. When the cheque was presented for payment on the October 31, 2019 at the bank, 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,” Onaiwu said.
According to her, the offences are punishable under sections 341 (a), 287 (5a) and 315 (1b) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.
Magistrate O.S Abioye granted him N500,000 bail with two responsible sureties in like sum.
The sureties are required to furnish the court with proof of tax payment to Lagos State Government. One of the sureties must be a blood relation of the defendant.
He adjourned the matter till December 2, 2019 for mention.
