Septuagenarian in court over alleged N490, 000 fraud

The case was adjourned to January 13.

A 79-year-old man, Jimoh Adisa, on Tuesday appeared before an Itire Magistrates’ Court in Lagos over alleged theft and obtaining N490, 000 by false pretences.

The accused, who resides at No. 4, Ikate Sreet., Ijeshatedo, Lagos, allegedly committed the offences at the same address on May 5, 2012.

According to the Prosecutor, Olakunle Shonibare, the accused obtained the money from Gabriel Utsu, who sought his assistance in getting a mini-flat.

He said that the accused obtained the sum from the complainant as rent on a mini flat at No. 5, Sanusi St., Ijeshatedo.

The prosecutor said that when the complainant wanted to occupy the mini-flat, the accused started giving flimsy reasons why he should wait.

Mr. Shonibare said that the offences contravened Sections 312 and 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

According to Section 312, any person found guilty of obtaining by false pretences can bag as much as 15 years imprisonment.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty.

The Magistrate, A.O. Gbajumo, granted him bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum.

She adjourned the case to January 13, 2014 for substantive trial.

(NAN)