A 46-year-old businessman, Emmanuel Ogiata, was on Wednesday arraigned before an Ogudu Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, over an alleged $14,100 car fraud.

Mr Ogiata, who resides in the Festac area of Lagos, is being charged with stealing and obtaining under false pretence, to which he pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Donjour Perezi, told the court that the defendant committed the offences between February and April 2023 in the Ojota area of Lagos.

Ms Perezi said that Mr Ogiata fraudulently obtained the sum of $14,100, which is equivalent to N21,685,518 million, from the complainant, one Olubola Sanu.

She said that the defendant collected the money from the complainant under the pretence of procuring three used Toyota Corolla saloon cars from the U.S.A.

“After receiving the money, the defendant converted it to his personal use and did not supply the cars,” she said.

The prosecutor said that the offences contravened Sections 287 and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The magistrate, S.K. Matepo, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N5 million, with two reliable sureties in like sum.

Ms Matepo said that the sureties must be gainfully employed and must provide evidence of tax payments to the state government. 

She, thereafter, adjourned the case until July 2 for hearing.

(NAN)