A 45-year-old man, Howell Ebi, was on Thursday brought before a Yaba Chief Magistrates’ court in Lagos for allegedly stealing N1 million from another, on the pretext of paying hospital bills for his brother.
Ebi, is facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, stealing and demanding property with intent to steal.
He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Police prosecutor, ASP Rita Momah, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on Dec. 13, 2021, somewhere between Agofure Motor Park, Lagos and East West Expressway, Yenagoa.
According to her, the defendant called the complainant, Mr Ojeaburie Bankole, and told him that his brother, who was in transit, had gotten into a motor accident on the highway and needed to be rushed to the hospital.
She said the defendant asked the complainant to pay N1 million for his brother’s urgent medical bill, which he knew was not true.
She stated that the defendant stole the N1 million from the complainant, which he transferred into his bank account and converted to his personal use.
She submitted that the offences contravened Sections 411, 287 and 301 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Sections 301 and 287 both stipulates three years’ jail term each for the offences of demanding property with intent to steal and stealing.
Chief Magistrate, Mrs Adeola Adedayo, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N500,000 with two responsible sureties in like sum.
She held that the sureties must submit copies of their National Identification Number (NIN) and their Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASRRA) card.
She further directed that both of them must be residing within the court’s jurisdiction and be gainfully employed with evidence of three years’ tax payment to the Lagos State government.
Adedayo adjourned the case until June 29 for mention. (NAN)