by Azubuike Azikiwe
Two men have been arraigned before a Magistrates Court, sitting in Igbosere, Lagos on Monday, 29 September, for allegedly defrauding a bureau de change operator of 50,000 dollars (N8.4million).
According to the prosecuting officer, Inspector Stephen Molo, the accused duo, 41-year-old Noma Mohammed and 32-year-old Kabiru Mohammed, committed the offences on 14 August at No. 12, Sanni Adewale St., Lagos Island, Lagos.
The men approached a certain Alhaji Saminu Mohammed, a bureau de change operator, claiming they were bureau de change agents and tricked him into giving them 50,000 to convert to the naira equivalent.
“After the businessmen received the money from the complainant, they did not convert the money as promised, but rather absconded with the dollars,” says Molo.
Subsequently, the complainant reported the matter to the police, who took it up by tracing and arresting Noma in Lagos while Kabiru was arrested in Kano.
The accused men have been charged on a three-count charge of conspiracy, obtaining by false pretences and stealing.
The pair’s offences violate Sections 278(b), 312(1)(a) and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. Section 312 prescribes 15 years imprisonment for anyone convicted of obtaining by false pretences.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges brough against them, while the presiding Magistrate, Mr J.A. Adegun granted them bail in the sum of N250,000 each, with two sureties each in like sum.
Adegun has adjourned the case till 15 October.
Leave a reply