A 40-year-old businessman, Uche Chris-Johnson, on Tuesday appeared before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, for allegedly obtaining N9.9 million from a couple.

Mr Chris-Johnson allegedly obtained the money under the guise of procuring New Zealand visas and other travelling related documents for them.

The defendant is standing trial on a three-count charge of conspiracy, fraud and stealing, preferred against him by the police.

The prosecutor, SP Kehinde Ajayi, told the court that the defendant and others at large committed the offences in September 2023.

Ms Ajayi said the defendant committed the offences at No. 9, Omotoye Street, Omotoye Estate, Iyana Ipaja, Lagos.

She said the defendant fraudulently obtained the said sum from  Iruobe Aileme and his wife, Funmilola Alieme  to procure  New Zealand visa  and other  travelling related documents but failed to do so.

“Chris-Johnson did not fulfill his promise to the complainants but converted the said sum to his personal use,” Ms Ajayi said.

She said the offences contravened Sections 287(9)(b) and (e), 314(1) and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos, 2015.

Mr Chris-Johnson pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The Magistrate, E. Kubeinje granted him bail in the sum of N500, 000 with two responsible sureties in like sum.

Ms Kubeinje ordered that one of the sureties should be gainfully employed and should show evidence of tax payments to the Lagos State Government.

She also ordered that one of them must be a blood relative.

The magistrate adjourned the case until April 9 for mention.

(NAN)