A 38-year-old man, Ikechukwu Okeke, who allegedly obtained N540,000 under false pretences, on Thursday appeared before an Ojo Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.
Okeke, whose address was not provided, is facing a two-count charge of fraud and stealing.
He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Prosecutor, Dr Simon Uche, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on Dec. 8, 2022 in Lagos.
Uche said that the defendant obtained the N540,000 from the complainant, Mr Emmanuel Onyeharam, to help him secure a two-bedroom flat, which he failed to do.
He said that the defendant absconded with the money until he was arrested by the police.
Uche said that the offences contravened Sections 287 and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 287 stipulates a three-year jail term for stealing, while Section 314 provides 15 years for obtaining under false pretenses.
The Magistrate, Mr L.J.K Layeni, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N200,000 with one surety in like sum.
Layeni adjourned the case until March 1 for trial. (NAN)