MICHAEL AKINOLA
A 26-year old man, Chukwuebuka Obidile, has been arrested and charged in Lagos State for allegedly swindling his United Kingdom based brother, Obidile Chimezie, of phone accessories worth over N7m.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the victim, Chimezie, supplied the goods to the suspect on the agreement that he will sell them and remit the money to him abroad.
However, after selling the goods, he diverted the money and disconnected every communication he had with the complainant which caused serious rift between the complainant and his business partner in United Kingdom.
The matter was reported to the Police at Onireke Division. The operatives moved into action, eventually arrested and detained him at the station for interrogation over his alleged conduct.
After rounds of interrogation, the Police found him culpable and consequently charged him before the Ojo Magistrate Court for fraud and stealing, which attracts several years of imprisonment.
The charges read:
COUNT 1: “That you, Chukwuebuka Obidile “M” on the 2nd of August 2022 in Ojo Magisterial district, did fraudulently obtain phone accessories valued N7,000,000 from one Obidile Chimezie ‘m’ who based in the United Kingdom under the pretense of an immediate payment after receiving the goods and thereby committed an offence contrary and punishable under Section 314 of the Criminal Laws Of Lagos State Nigeria 2015.”
COUNT II:”That you, Chukwuebuka Obidile “M” on same date, time, place and aforementioned Magisterial district, did steal phone accessories valued the sum of N7,000,000, property of one Obidile Chimezie ‘m’ represented by one Obidile Benedict ‘m’ and thereby committed an offence contrary and punishable under Section 287 of the Criminal Laws Of Lagos State Nigeria 2015.”
COUNT III:”That you, Chukwuebuka Obidile “M” on same date, time, place and aforementioned Magisterial district, did conduct yourself in a manner likely to cause breach of peace between one Obidile chimezie ‘m’ and his business partners, who are based in the United Kingdom by refusing to pay for some phone accessories sent to you and thereby committed an offence contrary and punishable under Section 168 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State Nigeria, 2015.”
He pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Inspector Esther Adesulu asked the Court to give a date for hearing since he pleaded not guilty to enable the Police to prove that he actually committed the alleged offence.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. O.M.Ogun, granted him bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment while addresses will be verified by the Court.
The matter was adjourned for mention while the defendant was remanded in custody at the correctional center pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.
