A 42-year-old businessman, Akintola Olalekan, may be jailed 15-years for allegedly obtaining 60,000 litres of diesel worth N6.5 million under false pretense.
Olalekan was on Friday brought before a Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.
The accused, whose address is unknown, is facing a three-count charge of obtaining commodity under false pretense, issuance of dishonored cheque and stealing.
Olalekan, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The accused committed the offences in Mushin, Lagos, sometime in October, Police Prosecutor Onaiwu Iyobosa, told the court. She said the accused convinced the complainant, Alhaja Bilikisu Balogun, to sell the diesel to him on the pretense that he would supply prospective buyers and remit the proceeds to him.
Iyobosa said Olalekan issued a Fidelity Bank cheque for N3.5 million which was dishonoured on presentation at the bank for insufficient funds.
According to her, the offences contravene Sections 280, 314 and 321 (b) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
Section 314 prescribes a 15-year jail term for obtaining money under false pretences.
Chief Magistrate Olalekan Aka-Bashorun, however, granted the accused bail of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case until Oct.18 for trial.
