A 26-year-old man, Precious Eric, was on Friday arraigned in the chief magistrates’ court in Surulere, Lagos, for allegedly obtaining N964,000 under the pretext of swapping three phones.

Mr Eric, whose house address was not given, pleaded not guilty to a two-count charge of obtaining money under false pretences and stealing.

The Prosecutor, Insp Courage Ekhueorohan, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on February 5 in the Lagos Magisterial District.

Mr Ekhueorohan alleged that the defendant fraudulently obtained N964,000 from three complainants under the pretext of helping them swap their old phones for a new one.

He said the defendant got Princess Karlex-Elekwua, Zakariyvah Hafsah and Seyi Okewunmi to make payments for the exchange and converted their money to his personal use.

Mr Ekhueorohan said the offences contravened sections 287 and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The magistrate, Ganiyu Tiamiyu, granted the defendant N500,000 bail with two responsible sureties in like sum.

He ordered that the sureties must have their addresses verified by the court.

Mr Tiamiyu adjourned the matter until April 4 for mention.

(NAN)