By Onozure Dania

Lagos—A businesswoman, Esther Ijie, has been arraigned before an Ebute Metta Chief Magistrate’s Court, sitting at Oyingbo, Lagos, for allegedly obtaining N4.7 million under false pretence.

The defendant, a 32 year-old mother of four, is facing a five-count charge of conspiracy to obtain money by false pretence, fraud, stealing and forgery. She is being prosecuted by the police.

The prosecutor, Inspector Richard Odigie, told the court that the defendant sometime in 2014, at Ogba, Lagos, obtained N4.7 million from one Henshaw Ebhodaghe, who lives in Turkey, under the pretence that she would assist him buy a parcel of land.

He told the court that the defendant received a Toyota Highlander SUV from the victim, under the pretence that she was in a position to sell the car and use the proceeds to buy the land.

Odigie told the court that Ijie also forged a deed of assignment, and presented same to the victim when he demanded for the land she bought on his behalf.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Counsel to the defendant, Ali Abba, urged the court to admit her to bail on  very liberal terms, stating that she was still presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Magistrate O. Adelaja admitted her to bail in the sum of N500,000, with two sureties in like sum.

She said the sureties must present evidence of three years tax payment to Lagos State Government, and have their addresses verified by the prosecutor.

The matter was adjourned till September 28.