Businessman in court for allegedly obtaining N800,000 under pretence

A 42-year-old businessman on Monday appeared before an Abule Egba Magistrates' Court for allegedly obtaining N800,000 from an intending traveller under the pretence of securing a visa for him.

The accused, Omodiale Abel, who resides at No. 203, Old Abeokuta Motor Road, Agege, Lagos, is facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, stealing and obtaining under false pretence.

The prosecutor, Insp. Racheal Williams, told the court that the offences were committed sometime in August 2014, at No. 104, Old Abeokuta Road, Agege Lagos.

According to the prosecutor, the accused and one other, now at large, collected N800, 000 from one Mr Omotayo Olusola under the pretence of securing for him a visa of an Asian country. She said that the accused also collected the international passport of the accused to process the visa and afterwards absconded.

"The accused closed his office and since then, all effort by the complainant to see him or his other accomplice proved abortive," she said.

Williams said that the accused was later arrested after the complainant sighted him and raised alarm.The offences, according to Williams, violate Sections 285, 311 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

Abel, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges. The Magistrate, Mrs Adenike Shonubi, granted the accused bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum. She adjourned the case to July 27, for mention.