Freight Forwarder Docked Over Alleged N326,000 Fraud    

A 50-year-old freight forwarder, Jacob Akpan, on Friday appeared before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly defrauding a woman of N326,000.

Akpan, who resides at No.7, Oziegbe St., Ilupeju, Lagos, was docked for obtaining money under false pretences and stealing.

The prosecutor, Insp. Victor Eruada, said that Akpan committed the offences sometimes in March at Sahco Cargo Airport, Ikeja, Lagos State.

Eruada said that Akpan obtained N326,000 from the complainant, Miss Nkechi Vivian, on the pretext of exporting her goods valued at N1.2 million to India.

"Akpan collected N326,000 from the complainant on the pretext of exporting her goods to India, which he never did,” the prosecutor said.

Eruada said that the complainant, who waited for her goods in vain in India, came back to Nigeria and demanded a refund, but Akpan failed to do so.

The offences contravened Sections 287 and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, (Revised).

Akpan, however, denied committing the offences .

Section 314 prescribes 15 years jail term for obtaining money under false pretences .

The Magistrate, Mrs M.I. Dan-Oni, granted Akpan a bail of N200, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

Dan-Oni adjourned the case until Sept. 20 for mention .