Businessman, 43, charged with defrauding accountant of N1.3m

A 43-year-old businessman, Lamidi Moruf, was on Monday charged with defrauding an accountant of N1.3 million at a Tinubu Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.

Moruf, whose address is unknown, is facing charges of obtaining under false pretences and stealing.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

But the prosecutor, ASP Chidi Okoye told the court that Moruf committed the offences sometime in February at Lagos Island Branch of Zenith Bank at Campbell Street.

He said the accused induced one Mr Olushola Shenaike, an accountant, to part with N1.3 million under the guise of helping him to buy a second-hand Toyota Corolla (tokunbo) car from the Republic of Benin.

Okoye alleged that after receiving the money from Shenaike, Moruf failed to purchase the car as promised or refund the money to the complainant.

According to the prosecution, the offences contravene Sections 285 (1) and 312 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 312 recommends a 15-year jail term for false pretences, while Section 285 prescribes three years for stealing.

NAN also reports that Shenaike was in court as prosecution witness.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs A.O. Awogboro, granted the businessman bail in the sum of N200, 000 with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case to June 2 for mention.

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