Police Arraign Clearing Agent For Alleged N850,000 Fraud    

A 40-year-old clearing agent, Kunle Akinsulure, yesterday appeared in an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly obtaining N850,000 under pretence to purchase a car for Fatai Adesola.
Akinsulure, who reside at No. 3, Peace Avenue, Otta, Ogun, is facing a three-count charge of stealing, obtaining money under false pretence and cheating.
The Prosecutor, Insp. Mathew Akhaluode, told the court that the accused, who entered a not guilty plea, committed the offences on Dec. 21, 2016 at No.12 Olorunda Str., Ijaiye -Ojokoro, Ikeja.
Akhaluode said that the accused fraudulently obtained N850, 000 from Adesola with a promise to help him buy a car, a representation he knew, was false.
He said that the accused who had no intention of assisting the complainant buy the car converted the money to his own personal use.
The prosecutor said that when Adesola did not get any feedback about the purchase of the car from the accused, he decided to ask for a refund.
“The clearing agent who had no intention of refunding the money started given excuses.
“The complainant said that after he persistently asked the accused for the refund, the accused brought an abandoned car that was beyond repair to his house.
“Adesola said that he was shocked when he saw the kind of faulty car the accused brought to his house,’’ he said.
The prosecutor said that the complainant reported the matter to the police and the accused was arrested.
The offences contravened sections 285, 312 and 319 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011, which stipulates 15 years imprisonment on conviction.
The Magistrate, Mrs Y.R Pinheiro, granted bail to the accused in the sum of N100,000 bail with two sureties in like sum.
Pinheiro also ordered that the sureties must be gainfully employed and should show evidence of two years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
She adjourned the case till Feb. 1 for mention.