Jobless man allegedly swindles woman

An unemployed man, Uba Okeugo, who allegedly defrauded Mrs. Juliet Ezeola of N100, 000, claiming he would wash and turn it into U.S. dollars, has appeared at an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.

Okeugo, 32, whose address was not given, is facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, obtaining by false pretences and stealing.

The prosecutor, Christopher John, told the court that the accused committed the offences with one other at large on October 18, at Pen Cinema, Agege, Lagos.

He said the accused met the complainant at a bus stop and lured her to an uncompleted building where he collected the N100, 000.

“The accused and his accomplice told her that they would wash it into American dollars.

“They collected the money and left. Efforts by the complainant to locate them failed,’’ John said.

He said the complainant reported the matter to the police, who told her that the accused and his accomplice had been on their wanted list.

“The accused was later seen by the complainant at Agege. She shouted and passersby helped her to apprehend him, “the prosecutor said.

He said the offences contravened sections 280, 316 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The accused pleaded not guilty.

The Magistrate, Mrs. M. I. Dan-Oni, granted the accused bail at N50, 000 with two sureties.

She said they should show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State government.

Dan-Oni adjourned the case till December 11 for mention.