A businessman, Johnny Lulu-barango, was today arraigned before a Lagos Chief Magistrate’s Court, for alleged offences bordering on obtained by false pretence and fraud of the sum of N18 million.
The businessman was arraigned by the officers of Force Criminal Investigation Department ForceCID (Annex) Alagbon-Ikoyi Lagos, before the court presided over by Justice K. K. Awoyinka.
The prosecutor, Barrister Morufu Animashaun, told the court that the defendant, who resides in Port-Harcourt, River State, committed the offences, sometimes in May 2022.
Animashaun told the court that the defendant, by false pretence, fraudulently obtained the sum of N18 million, from a firm called ‘Nomba’, with a promise of investing the money in a business and pay back the company the proceeds of the money.
He told the court that the defendant received the money from the company, in three tranches, which were paid to the following accounts: 08037954863, 08063507938 and 08033425261.
Animashaun also tod the court that the defendant, after receiving the money, failed and refused to back it back to the company but fled to Port-Harcourt, River State, where he was later apprehended by the police operatives.
The prosecutor told the court that the businessman’s alleged crime, contravened Sections 322 and 287(7)(d) of the Criminal Law Ch.C17, Vol 3, Laws of Lagos State 2015.
The businessman however pleaded not guilty to the allegations.
Upon his plea of not guilty, the prosecutor, asked the court for a trial date. He also urged the court to remand the defendant till the determination of the charges against him.
However, the defendant’s lawyer, Omobolaji Adeyemi, pleaded with the court to grant his client bail in the most liberal terms, saying that charges against his client are bailable ones.
Magistrate Awoyinka in her ruling, admitted bail to the defendant in the sum of N2 million with two response in like sum.
The magistrate also ordered the sureties, must be residents of Lagos State, with evidence of three years tax payment to Lagos State. And that they must have bank account having N2 million, which will be in the account till the determination of the charge.
Magistrate Awoyinka while adjourning the matter till June 23, 2023, for mention, ordered that the defendant be remanded in the custody of Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS) till the perfection of the bail terms.
