Clearing agent charged with N2.2m fraud

Lagos – A man, who claimed to be a clearing agent, Mathew Sunday, was on Tuesday in Lagos arraigned for allegedly obtaining N2.2 million under false pretence.

The accused was alleged to have fraudulently obtained the money to clear some pharmaceutical products for a client at Cotonou Port in neighbouring Benin Republic.

Sunday, who is standing trial at an Igbosere Magistrates Court on a two-count charge of conspiracy and obtaining money under false pretence, pleaded not guilty.

The Magistrate, Mrs F.O. Agbokhaevbo, granted him bail in the sum of N300,000 with one surety in like sum.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Sgt. Austin Odugbo, told the court that the accused with another still at large had in September, 2010 at Villa Park Hotel, Lagos, obtained the money from Mr Kelvin Egwatu to clear the goods for him.

“The accused did not clear the goods and also failed to refund the money,” he said.

The offence, according to Odugbo, contravenes Sections 419 and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State.

The case has been adjourned till March 1 for further hearing.
(NAN)