For duping his brother in-law to the tune of N4.34m, a 59-year-old man, Mike Okelue, has been arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrate’s Court, Lagos on Tuesday. Okelue allegedly conspired with others who are now at large between December 31, 2009 and February 24, 2010 to dupe Mr. John Emeagi of N4.34m on the pretext of helping him with the clearing of containers at the Tin-Can Island Port, Lagos.
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The charge sheet reads in part: "That you, Mike Okelue, and others now at large within the Lagos Magisterial district by false pretences and with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of N4.34m from John Emeagi, the Managing Director of John Maris Ventures, by falsely representing to him that you will clear from the Tin-Can Island Port two containers containing three Mercedes Benz 2010 model cars and two Range Rover utility vehicles 2010 model a representation you knew to be false."
Okelue is facing three counts of conspiracy to commit felony, false representation and stealing. According to the charge sheet which was read to the accused person in court, the offences are contrary to and punishable under sections 516, 419 and 390(9) of the Criminal Code Cap 32, Vol. II Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2003.
Okelue pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him. Okelue’s lawyer, Mr. Olugbenga Ogunleye, put up an oral bail application for the accused, stressing that Emeagi should be granted bail in the most liberal terms.
But the prosecutor, Mr. Effiong Asuquo, a superintendent of police, opposed the granting of bail in liberal terms.
"While I am not averse to the idea of the court granting the accused bail, I will however object granting him bail in liberal terms. We are filing a fresh charge of forgery against the accused. He issued a dud cheque to the complainant. I urge the court to grant him bail on very stringent terms as he is an offender," Asuquo said.
However, Ogunleye told the court that the matter was a family affair and prayed the court not to be misguided by the position of the prosecutor.
He said the new allegation, which the prosecutor planned to level against the accused was untrue, adding that if the case persisted, the facts of the matter would be resolved during trial. Magistrate Martins Owumi granted the accused bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.
He added that the sureties, who must be in paid employment in reputable companies, should lodge N100,000 each with the office of the Chief Registrar of the court, show proof of residence in Lagos State and evidence of tax payments to the state government.
Besides, Owumi said the sureties were to furnish the court with verifiable residential and office addresses. The case has been adjourned till November 11 for further hearing.
Source: ThePunch.
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