Clearing Agent Docked Over Alleged N800, 000 Theft

A clearing agent, Leonard Amadi, 41, yesterday appeared before an Ebute Meta Magistrates' Court in Lagos, charged with stealing N800,000 belonging to a client.
Amadi, who resides at No. 3, Adeniji St., Iju-Ishaga, Lagos, is facing a charge of stealing.
The Prosecutor, Cpl. Cyriacus Osuji, told the court that the accused committed the offence on Aug. 12, 2012, at No. 50, Isheri Road, Omole Phase I, Ikeja, Lagos.

A clearing agent, Leonard Amadi, 41, yesterday appeared before an Ebute Meta Magistrates' Court in Lagos, charged with stealing N800,000 belonging to a client.
Amadi, who resides at No. 3, Adeniji St., Iju-Ishaga, Lagos, is facing a charge of stealing.
The Prosecutor, Cpl. Cyriacus Osuji, told the court that the accused committed the offence on Aug. 12, 2012, at No. 50, Isheri Road, Omole Phase I, Ikeja, Lagos.
Osuji said that the accused, on the pretext of assisting one Mr Okechukwu Mgboo to sell a car, collected the vehicle but did not remit the proceeds after the sale.
The prosecutor said that the accused sold the vehicle and converted the money to his personal use.
He said that after the vehicle was sold, Amadi disappeared with the money and was only recently arrested by the police.
Osuji said that the offence committed contravened Section 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Section 285 provides that any person who steals is guilty of a felony and is liable, if no other punishment is provided, to three years imprisonment.
Mrs Beauty Otigi, counsel to the accused, urged the court to grant her client bail in the most liberal terms.
The Magistrate, Miss. Y.B Badejo-Okusanya, granted the accused bail in the sum of N400, 000, with two sureties in like sum.
She said that the sureties must show evidence of three years tax payment to Lagos State government.
Badejo-Okusanya said that the sureties, who must be residents of Lagos, must also show evidence of means of livelihood.
The court adjourned the case till Aug. 2 for mention.