The police on Tuesday arraigned a 43-year-old businessman, Taofik Lawal, in a Badagry Chief Magistrates ‘Court over alleged fraud of N18.3 million coconut seeds.

The defendant, whose address was unknown, was being charged with fraud, stealing and breach of peace.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

The prosecutor, ASP Edet Ekpo, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on April 23,  2025, at about 10.00.a.m at Elyon Str. Badagry, Lagos.

Mr Ekpo alleged that the defendant fraudulently collected the sum of N18.365,000 under the pretence of supplying coconut seeds to the complainant, Dupe Oladejo.

He said, “The defendant stole the sum of N18,365,000 belonging to the complainant. He conducted himself in a manner likely to cause the breach of peace by collecting money without supplying the coconut seeds.

The offence contravenes Sections 314, 287 and 168 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos, 2015.”

The Chief Magistrate, Nurudeen Layeni, granted the defendant bail in the sum N5 million with two sureties in like sum.

Mr Layeni said one of the sureties must be a business partner or family member.

He adjourned the case until February 18 for mention. 

(NAN)