A man, Vincent Akataobi, on Wednesday appeared before a Wuse Zone Six Magistrates’ Court, Abuja, for allegedly defrauding a client of N2.5 million.
Akataobi, who resides at Sun City Estate, Abuja, is being tried for criminal breach of trust, cheating and theft.
The defendant pleaded not guilty.
The Prosecution Counsel, Mr S. Osho, told the court that the complainant, Loveth Bah of Pomona Street, Sun City Estate, Abuja, reported the matter at the Galadimawa Police Station, Abuja, on Nov. 10, 2020
Osho alleged that sometime in 2019, the defendant took the complainant to a car stand at Gwarinpa in the FCT to purchase a Toyota Camry 2009 model valued at N2.4 million.
The counsel told the court that the complainant made an initial deposit of N1.7 million, which was sent into the car dealer’s bank account.
Osho alleged that during police investigation, it was discovered that after some months, Akataobi allegedly went back to the car dealer without the consent of the complainant to collect the deposit.
He said that the defendant allegedly lied to the car dealer that Bah was his wife and she was no longer interested in purchasing the car.
The counsel told the court that the defendant also stole the complainant’s ATM card and withdrew N800,000 from her account.
He alleged that Akataobi converted the money into his personal use.
The counsel said the offence contravened Sections 312, 322 and 287 of the Penal Code Law.
The Magistrate, Aminu Eri admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N1 million with two sureties in like sum.
Eri ordered that the sureties, who must reside within the court’s jurisdiction, should present a reliable means of livelihood and identification card, which must be verified by the court registrar.
He adjourned the case until Aug. 4 for hearing.
