A Magistrate court in Ikeja, Lagos state has arraigned a 70-year-old clergyman, Emmanuel Bello for allegedly defrauding a businesswoman of N870,000.
According to the police, Bello was charged with three counts of conspiracy, obtaining money under false pretence and stealing.
The prosecution counsel, Mojirade Edeme, told the court that the defendant, and others at large, committed the offence on March 2 at the council’s residential area of Idimu, Lagos State.
Edeme also revealed that the defendant fraudulently obtained the money from Bilikisu Olabisi, with a promise to supply “spiritual oil” for the washing and cleaning of dollar notes.
“After the defendant collected the money, he absconded and all efforts to retrieve her money failed. The complainant reported the case and the defendant was eventually arrested,” the prosecutor said.
According to the prosecutor, Bello’s offence contravened the provisions of sections 287, 314 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
Section 287 prescribes three years jail term for stealing while section 314 attracts 15 years for obtaining money under false pretence.
Magistrate O.O Raji admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N100,000 with one surety in like sum, further hearing has been fixed for October 20.
Mr Raji said the surety should be gainfully employed and show evidence of two years of tax payment to the Lagos State Government (LASG).
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