A 42-year-old contractor, Wasiu Ismail, was on Friday docked in an Ogudu Magistrates’ Court, Lagos State, for allegedly defrauding a bank of six million Naira.
Ismail, who resides at Agbara, Ogun, is standing trial on a three-count charge of obtaining money under false pretences, stealing and issuance of dud cheque.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The prosecutor, Insp Donjour Perezi, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on May 6, 2022, at Supreme Microfinance Bank, Ogudu.
Perezi said that the defendant fraudulently obtained six million Naira loan from the bank under false pretences of paying back, which he failed to do.
He said that the defendant later issued a Zenith bank postdated cheque for N5.7 million.
He said that the cheque, dated May 16, 2022, was dishonoured due to insufficient fund.
Perezi said that the defendant was arrested when Mrs Ashabi Abiodun reported the case to the police on behalf of the bank.
The prosecutor said the offences contravened Sections 287, 314 and 321 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 287 stipulates three years’ imprisonment for stealing, while Section 314 provides for 15 years’ jail term for obtaining money under false pretences.
The Magistrate, Mrs M.O. Tanimola, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500, 000 with two sureties in like sum.
Tanimola ordered that the sureties should be gainfully employed, adding that their home and office addresses must be verified.
She added that the sureties should show evidence of two years’ tax payment to Lagos State Government.
She adjourned the case until June 23 for mention. (NAN)
