Police Arraign Businessman Over Alleged N1.2m Fraud

A 33-year-old businessman, Olamilekan Adio, was on Wednesday arraigned by the police before a Magistrate Court sitting in Ojo, Lagos State, for allegedly acquiring money under false pretence.

The accused, whose residence was not disclosed, is being tried before Magistrate L K. J. Layeni on three counts of fraudulent representation, theft, and causing a breach of peace.

The Prosecution, Dr. Simon Uche, informed the court that the defendant committed the crime in October 2022.

He stated that the defendant stole N1.19 million from the complainant, Mrs Obi Oluchi, under the guise of buying products and renting a shop for himself.

He told the court that the defendant had promised to repay the complaint after opening a shop and purchasing the products.

The prosecutor informed the court that the accused intentionally took the money and fled, refusing to pay back although knowing the representation was fraudulent.

He did, however, say that police operatives eventually caught the accused person who had tried to resist arrest and was acting in a way that was likely to disrupt public order.

According to him, the offences violate sections 168, 287, and 314 of the Lagos State Criminal Law, 2015.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the accusations.

The magistrate granted bail to the accused in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in the same amount and adjourned the case to December 13 for mention.