Clearing Agent Faces N720,000 Fraud Charge

A 56-year-old clearing agent, who allegedly obtained N720,000 from a man, Uche Nnadikwe, on the pretext of assisting him to clear his car, on Wednesday appeared before an Apapa Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.
Fred Onyekwuluje, a resident of Olodi, Apapa area of Lagos, is standing trial on a two -count charge of stealing and obtaining under false pretences.
The prosecutor, Sgt. Olusegun Kokoye, told the court that the accused, who entered a ‘not-guilty’ plea, committed the offences on May 11 at the Tin Can Island Port, Apapa, Lagos.
Kokoye alleged that the accused fraudulently obtained N720,000 from Nnadikwe, with a promise to clear his car for him, a respresentation he knew was false.
He claimed that Onyekwuluje failed to clear the car and disappeared with the money instead.
“The complainant said that when he did not get any feedback from the accused, he became worried and decided to confront him.
“Nnadikwe said that the accused failed to pay back his money, when asked to do so.
“The complainant reported the case to the police and the accused was arrested,’’ Kokoye said.
The offences contravened Sections 287 and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).
Section 287 provides a three-year jail term, while Section 314 stipulates 15 years for obtaining by false pretences.
The Chief Magistrate, Mr Titus Abolarinwa, granted the accused bail in the sum of N200, 000 with two sureties in like sum and adjourned further hearing until Aug. 6, for trial.