NAN – A businessman, Ahmed Ismaila, 29, who allegedly obtained petroleum products worth N10.3 million under the pretext of paying for it after a week, has been docked at the Igbosere Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.
The accused, whose address was not stated, is standing trial on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, fraud, stealing and issuing dud cheque.
The accused, however, entered a no guilty plea at his arraignment on Monday.
But the Prosecutor, Insp. Idowu Olawale, told the court that the accused and others at large committed the offences between August and September of 2013 within the jurisdiction of the court.
Olawale said that the accused obtained petroleum products of N10.3 million from one Cariads Petroleum Company owned by one Khadija Awwal under the pretext of paying back the total sum after one week.
He said that the accused was unable to pay the money as promised and instead issued a Zenith Bank cheque of N8 million and N2.3 million that were dishonoured.
He said that the accused did not have sufficient funds in his account for the cheques to be cleared for payment to Awwal, the creditor in the transaction.
The prosecutor said that the accused, by his action stole N10.3 million property of Awwal.
He said that the accused contravened sections 312 (b), 319 (b) and 409 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2011.
The magistrate, Miss Alli Balogun, granted Ismaila bail in the sum of N3 million with two “responsible’’ sureties in like sum.
She said that the sureties must be gainfully employed and must produce evidence of employment.
Balogun adjourned the case to June 23 for mention.
