Two clearing agents, who allegedly conspired to obtain N830,000 from a businesswoman on the pretext of clearing a 40ft container for her, were on Monday docked before an Apapa Magistrates‘ Court, Lagos.
The defendants – Johnson John and Kingsley Okafor – both aged 27 and residents of Apapa, Lagos State, are facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, stealing and obtaining under false pretences.
The Prosecutor, Insp. Friday Inedu, told the court that the accused committed the offences between Sept. 18, 2018, and Sept. 26, 2018, at the Apapa Port, Lagos.
Inedu said that the defendants collected the sum from one Mrs Esther Eboigbe on the pretext of assisting her to clear a container of rolling papers.
She said that the defendants took the woman’s money and failed to clear the container.
Inedu said that when Eboigbe demanded refund of her money, the defendants gave flimsy excuses, making her to report the case to the police.
The prosecutor said that the offences contravened Sections 287, 314 and 411 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Section 287 prescribes three years’ imprisonment for stealing, while Section 314 stipulates 15-year jail term for obtaining by false pretences.
The Magistrate, Mr T.O. Babalola, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N200,000 each with two sureties each in like sum.
Babalola said that the sureties must be gainfully employed and show evidence of two years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
He adjourned the case until May 6 for mention.
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