BY ONOZURE DANIA
LAGOS — A 45-year-old businessman, Aliu Albobbo, was yesterday remanded to Kirikiri prison by an Ikeja Magistrate Court, for allegedly obtaining N1.9 million under false pretence.

Magistrate A.O. Akinde ordered that he be remanded pending when he is able to perfect his bail.

Albobbo, who resides at 18A, Creek Avenue, Apapa, Lagos, is facing a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, fraud, stealing and presumption as to false pretence in certain circumstances.

The prosecutor, Inspector Chinalu Uwadione, told the court that the defendant obtained the said money from one Bankole Tugbiyele on the pretext of supplying him 15,000 litres of diesel.

The prosecutor alleged that Albobbo did not supply the diesel as promised and also failed to refund the money.

Uwadione said the incident occurred at about 2.35 p.m on September 30, 2013 and the defendant also issued a Diamond Bank cheque for N300,000 to Tugbiyele that was dishonoured due to lack of funds in the account.

The prosecutor said the defendant and  others at large committed the offence on April 10, 2013, in Ikeja.

Uwadione said the offence are contrary to sections 278 and 312 (a) and punishable under sections 319  and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

If found guilty, the defendant is liable to 15-year jail term.

However, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.

Magistrate Akinde granted him bail in the sum of N1 million with two sureties each in like sum.

She  adjourned the case to January 23, 2014.