A 45-year-old surety, Samson Oodo, was on Friday arraigned before an Apapa Magistrate’s Court for allegedly failing to produce one Oodo Nathan, a clearing agent, for DPO’s interview at Festac Police Station.
The surety is facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, failure to produce defendant and issuing dud cheques.
The prosecutor, Inspector Olugbenga Salami, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on April 14, 2017 at about 2pm at Festac Police Station, Festac Town, Lagos.
“The surety conspired with one Oodo Nathan to obstruct, pervert or defeat the course of justice. He stood as surety for one Oodo Nathan in the sum of N500,000 for involving in a case of obtaining money by false pretence and stealing the sum of N1 million and to produce him at the station on every date as requested.
“As on April 19, 2017, you were requested to produce the same Oodo Nathan for DPO’s interview but you did not and on other subsequent dates.
“With intent to defraud, did issue two Keystone Bank cheque leaflets No 33434117 dated 20/5/2017 and No 3343118 dated 20/6/2017 in favour of one Kayode Olaosebikan for the sum of N900,000. When presented for payment it was dishonoured on the ground that no funds or insufficient fund was standing on the credit of the drawer of the cheques in the bank on which the cheques were drawn,” Salami said.
According to him, the offences are punishable under sections 97(1), 132(1) and 315(b) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.
Magistrate O.A Erinle granted him N250,000 bail with two sureties in like sum.
The sureties are required to furnish the court with proof of tax payment to Lagos State Government.
She adjourned the matter till October 16, 2019 for mention.