A 40-year-old businessman, Oyewole Faloba, was on Tuesday arraigned in Lagos for allegedly defrauding a woman of N17.6 million under the pretext of supplying petroleum products.
The accused, who is facing a seven-count charge of conspiracy, fraud and stealing before a Yaba Magistrates` court, Lagos, pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Sgt. Wale Salihu, said that the accused between Aug. 18 and Aug. 26 at Majekodunmi St., Palm Avenue, Mushin, Lagos, conspired with others at large to defraud Mrs Opeyemi Omobude.
Salihu said that Faloba, who posed as an NNPC employee, obtained N10 million from Omobude with an agreement to supply her petroleum products.
He said that the accused, along with his accomplice on Aug. 19, also obtained 35,000 dollars (about N6 million) and N1.6 million from the complainant.
The prosecutor said that the accused alleged offences were tantamount to larceny.
According to him, the alleged offences contravened Sections 390(9), 419 and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State.
Magistrate P. A. Ojo granted the accused bail in the sum of N500,000 with one surety in like sum.
He adjourned the case till Nov. 28 for further hearing.