Clearing agent docked over alleged N5.5m fraud

For allegedly obtaining N5.5 million in the guise of clearing a container of goods, a 35-year-old agent, Chinweike Mbaewe, on Monday appeared before an Ojo Magistrates’ Court in Lagos State, on a four-count charge.

The defendant is charged with obtaining money under false pretences, stealing, causing breach of peace and issuance of dud cheque.

He, however, pleaded not guilty before the Magistrate, Mr L. J. K. Layeni.

The prosecutor, Dr Simon Uche, told the court that the defendant committed the offences in April on the Lagos-Badagry Expressway.

He alleged that the defendant fraudulently obtained N5.5 million from one Mr Ugochukwu Ozurumba under false pretences of helping him to clear a 40ft container of goods.

According to the prosecutor, the representation is false, as the defendant stole the said sum and caused breach of peace by making the container to incur  N2.8 million demurrage.

In the fourth count, the defendant is alleged to have issued to the complainant, a United Bank for Africa cheque dated Aug. 15, for the sum of N1.68 million.

He also allegedly issued to the defendant, another cheque  dated Sept. 9 for the sum of five million Naira.

Both cheques were  dishonoured on presentation to the bank, according to the prosecutor.

The alleged offences contravene the provisions of Sections 168, 287, 314 and 315 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The magistrate granted the defendant bail in the sum of one million Naira with two sureties in like sum.

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He adjourned the case until Nov. 23 for trial.