A clearing and forwarding agent, Nwotisa Ifeabimike, 38, on Friday appeared in a Tinubu Magistrates’ Court for allegedly defrauding a customer of N1.5million.
The defendant, who resides at No. 3543 Bola Lateef Cresent, Amuwo-Odofin, Mile 2, Lagos State, is standing trial on a two-count charge of fraud and theft.
Ifeabimike, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
 
The Prosecutor, Insp. Oluwafemi Adeleye, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on Aug. 29, at Aro Baale, Ologolo, Lekki, Lagos. 
 
He said that the defendant defrauded  a customer, one Mrs Precious Ugorji of N1.5million under false pretences of helping her to buy a Toyota Matrix, 2005 model. 
 
Adeleye also said that the defendant threatened to kill  Ugorji .
 
“A friend introduced Ifeabimike to the complainant as a clearing and forwarding agent and he said he would help her get a Toyota Matrix, 2005 model, valued at N1.5million.
“Days after the defendant collected the money, he disappeared and all efforts to locate him yielded no result.
“Ifeabimike started threatening to kill the complainant, if she does not stop worrying him to return her money,” the prosecutor said.
 
He said that the offences contravened Sections 287 and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The Magistrate, Mrs F. M. Dalley, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.
She adjourned the case until Dec. 12 for hearing. (NAN)