Two freight forwarders, Okechukwu Okpe and Michael Nwafor, were on Thursday brought before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly defrauding an Indian of N19 million.
The duo defrauded the Indian under the pretext of clearing goods worth N75 million for him.
Okpe, 51, and Nwafor, 49, are standing trial on a three-count charge, bordering on conspiracy, fraud and stealing.
The Prosecutor, Insp. Steven Molo, told the court that the duo committed the offences on Feb. 15, 2016 at 10.00 a.m. at No. 55, Martins Str., Lagos.
He said that the accused persons fraudulently obtained N19 million from the complainant, Mr Bhagu Chugan, under the guise of clearing four units of 40 feet containers from the Apapa seaport.
Molo said that the containers contained 4600 of ceramic pots, valued at N75 million.
“The accused knew that the representation they made to the complainant was false.
“They did not clear the four containers and did not return the complainant’s money to him,” Molo said.
The offences contravened Sections 287, 314 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The duo, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against them by the police.
In her ruling, the Magistrate, Mrs O. O. Oshin, granted them bail in the sum of one million each with two sureties each in like sum.
She said that the sureties must show evidence of six years tax payment to the Lagos State Government and must be related to the accused and must have a registered company.
She said that the sureties must also have at least N500, 000 in their bank accounts and have their addresses verified by the court.
Oshin adjourned the case until July 13 for mention.
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