A clearing agent, Jegede Rauf, was yesterday docked at an Ogudu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly obtaining N1.56 million from a banker under false pretences.
Rauf, 39, of Ogunfowokan Street, Okota in Isolo area of Lagos, is facing a two-count charge of fraud and obtaining under false pretences.
The prosecution told court that the accused committed the offences sometime in February 2017 on Adeyemi Street, Ikosi, Ketu.
Sgt. Lucky Ihiehie said that the complainant, Solomon Ekundayo, a banker, reported the case at Ketu Police Station on Jan. 27.
“Sometime in February 2017, the accused presented himself as a clearing and forwarding agent and the complainant sought his services to clear two cars for him at Tincan Island Ports, Apapa.
“The sum of N750, 000 was agreed to clear a Ford car and an infinity car which both arrived in Nigeria on Feb. 9, 2017.
“A deposit of N600, 000 was requested by the accused which the complainant obliged him and transfered the money from his account to the complainant’s account.
“The accused then told him to pay a demurrage of N133, 000 and the complainant later gave him N110, 000 cash at the Tincan Island Ports.
“The accused then promised to get the cars out on Feb. 27, 2017 but failed to do so and on March 28, 2017, the complainant deposited another N50, 000 as requested by the accused.
“On April 18, 2017, another N30, 000 was deposited into the accused’s account as he requested and then he requested for another N8, 000, N12, 000 and N6, 000 respectively and he was given,” Ihiehie said.
He told the court that the accused delivered the Ford while the Infinity was left at the port.
“The accused ran away and changed his telephone line and relocated to unknown place since June 2017.
“After some months, his Glo line went through and his wife picked it and the accused track down.”
The offences contravened Sections 280 (1), (a), and 314 (1), (a) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The Magistrate, Mrs O. Sule-Amzat, admitted the accused to a bail of N200, 000 with two sureties, who must be taxpayers with an evidence of payment of rent and other utility bills.
The case was adjourned until March 13.
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