Man, 49, Arraigned For Allegedly Obtaining Vehicle By Fraud

A 49-year-old man (names withheld), on Wednesday appeared before an Abeokuta Magistrates’ Court in Isabo, for allegedly obtaining a vehicle worth over N4.5 million by false pretence.
The accused, whose address was not stated, is facing a two-count charge bordering on obtaining by false pretence and conduct likely to cause breach of peace.
He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The prosecutor, ASP Lawrence Olu-Balogun, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on May 2, at Soyoye Iyana-Cele in Abeokuta.
He alleged that the defendant fraudulently obtained an unregistered Lexus 330 valued N4.5 million belonging to a complainant one Mr Aliu Adetunji.
According to the prosecutor, the defendant had approached the complainant with the intention of purchasing the vehicle by a trade-by-barter arrangement, offering two plots of land in exchange.
The prosecutor alleged that after the complainant handed over the vehicle to the defendant, he failed to fulfil his own part of the agreement.
“The complainant went to the said land to commence development only to be challenged by the mother of the defendant, who claimed she was not aware of any exchange of property,” he said.
He also alleged that when the complainant demanded a return of his vehicle ,the defendant claimed he had sold it and utilised the proceeds for his personal use.
The offences contravene the provisions of sections 383, 390 (9) and 419 of the Criminal Law of Ogun 2006.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs. A.K Araba granted the defendant bail in the sum of one million naira with two sureties in like sum, who must be registered bondsmen with the Ogun State Judiciary.
She adjourned the case until Sept. 23, for hearing.