The Police in Lagos State on Monday brought a 45-year-old man, Augustine Tovi, before a Badagry Chief Magistrats’ Court for allegedly obtaining N2.7 million under guise of selling land .
The defendant whose residence is unknown, is facing a two-count charge of fraud and stealing.
He pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The prosecutor, DSP Clement Okuiomose, told the court that the defendant committed the offences sometime in 2012, at No. 1, Jide Olubuade Str., Ajara Tako, Badagry, Lagos.
Okuiomose said that the defendant obtained the sum of N2.7 million from the complainant, one Alhaji Jide Olubuade, under the pretext of selling two and half plots of land to him.
He said that the defendant did not sell the land but converted the money to his personal use.
The prosecutor said that the offences contravened Sections 314 and 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 287 provides three years imprisonment for stealing, while Section 314 provides 15 years imprisonment for obtaining by false pretences.
The Chief Magistrate, Mr A.J Aina, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.
He held that the sureties must be gainfully employed and should show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
The magistrate adjourned the case until Feb.4 for mention.
