Car dealer arrested for alleged of N4.6 million fraud

 

In Lagos, the police have arrested a car dealer, Alhaji Amao Abdulhakeem, for allegedly obtaining items worth N4.6 million allegedly.

Abdulhakeem obtained four fairly-used Toyota Camry cars from one Emeka Ejike and failed to pay him. He also obtained 34 tyres and 12 car batteries from Ejike, whose shop is located in the Lekki area of Lagos. All the items were valued at N4.6m, while the transaction took place in November, 2014.

 The suspect had issued different cheques to the complainant on December 18, 2014, and February 1, 2015, respectively, but were dishonoured on the grounds of insufficient funds in the account on which the cheques were drawn.

The suspect was said to have been arrested after the matter was reported at the Zone 2 police headquarters in Onikan, Lagos.

A police prosecutor, Inspector Stephen Moloh, subsequently preferred four counts bordering on fraud against Abdulhakeem, who was arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court.

Moloh told the court that the offence contravened sections 312 (2), 285 (10) and 319 (b) of the Criminal Law of Lagos, Nigeria, 2011.

The charges read in part, “That you, Alhaji Amao Abdulhakeem, 38, sometime in November 2014, at about 3.30pm, in the Lekki area of Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, with intent to defraud, did unlawfully obtain four unregistered used (Tokunbo) Toyota Camry cars, 1998/99 model with chassis numbers 329517; 277532; 108681 and 315820 as well 34 tyres and 12 batteries, from Emeka Ejike under the pretext of buying same valued at N4,650,000."

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the counts and was admitted to bail by the presiding magistrate, Mr. Martins Owumi, in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.

The magistrate added that the sureties must have receipts of two years tax payment to the state and present their residential addresses to the court for verification.

The case was adjourned till January 21, 2016 for mention.