A 29-year-old man, Ayodeji Abegunde, who allegedly forged and defrauded his employer of N1.7 million, appeared before an Ogudu Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday in Lagos.
Abegunde, who resides at Fajobi Street, Opic in Lagos, is being tried for alleged charges of stealing and obtaining money under false pretence.
The Prosecutor, Insp. Sunday Bassey, told the court that the defendant sometime in July at Magodo Phase 1, Isheri, allegedly stole N1.7 million of his employer, Mr Tosin Felixon, the complainant.
“The defendant obtained the said amount from the complainant on the pretext he wanted to buy a new engine and power steering pump for his Mercedes Benz C300 4matic car.
“The defendant converted the money to his personal use instead of fulfilling the said assignment ordered by his boss.
“He also by fraudulent means, forged a Benz clinic invoice to deceive his boss that he repaired his vehicle and defrauded him of N422,000”, Bassey said.
The prosecutor said that the offences contravened Sections 287(7), 314 and 325 of the Criminal Law of Lagos, 2015.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that while section 325 stipulates seven years imprisonment for stealing, section 314 prescribes 15 years imprisonment for persons found guilty of the charges of obtaining money under false pretext.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The Magistrate, Mrs O.A Daodu, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.
Daodu ordered that the surety must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and should be gainfully employed with evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
She adjourned the case until Oct. 21, for further hearing. (NAN)
