By Oluwatope Lawanson l Wednesday, November 27, 2019
EBUTE META, Lagos, Nigeria – The police in Lagos today arraigned a 50-year-old man, Eric Okolo, who allegedly defrauded two persons of N3 million.
Okolo, who resides at Ikoyi, Lagos, is facing a two-count charge of fraud and stealing before an Ebute-Meta Magistrate’s Court.
He, however, pleaded not guilty.
The Prosecutor, Insp. Chinalu Uwadione, told the court that the defendant committed the fraud on January 15, 2009, at Ojo area of Lagos.
Uwadione said that the defendant collected N1 million from Chief Azubuike Ekwerekwu and N2 million from Mr Christopher Iloabanafo for legal services he failed to render.
“The lawyer defrauded Ekwerekwu and Iloabanafo by collecting N3 million from them on the pretext that he would handle their cases,” the prosecutor said. Uwadione alleged that the defendant converted the money to his personal use.
“All efforts made by the complainants to retrieve their money proved abortive,” he said.
According to the prosecutor, the alleged offences contravene Sections 287 and 309 (9) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 287 provides for three years’ jail term for stealing.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs A.O. Komolafe, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N1 million with two sureties in like sum. Komolafe said that the sureties must be gainfully employed and have evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
She then adjourned the fraud case until Jan. 21, 2020, for mention. (NAN)
