By Court Remands Lagos Businessman Over N600m Fraud
Igbosere Magistrate Court on Thursday has remanded a Lagos based businessman, Babatunde Ayantunji after he was arraigned for allegedly conniving with others to obtain $2m, an equivalent of N600m.
BlackBox Nigeria gathered that the accused, Ayantunji was arrested and brought before the Court after the complainant, Abubakar Mukala lodged complaints against him at the Police Station. He was then charged on three-count charge of felony to wit obtaining money under false pretence and stealing.
The Police Prosecutor, Abass Abayomi informed the Court in charge No C/80/2017 that the accused and others still at large committed the alleged offence sometime in July, 2017 in Ogba area of Lagos State.
It was learnt that Ayantunji had presented himself as a Bureau De Change operator to Mukala who then entrusted the sum of $2m through an American account which he was provided with. But since the money was transferred, the Naira equivalent has not been returned as arranged.
The Prosecutor, Abayomi disclosed to the Court that the complainant was forced to report the matter to the Police when all his efforts to retrieve his money from the accused proved futile. Ayantunji was then arrested on the order of the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 2 Command, Onikan, Lagos, Mr Adamu Ibrahim.
Abayomi said the offences the accused committed were punishable under Sections 411, 314 and 287 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos, 2015.
Ayantunji however pleaded not guilty to the alleged crime in the Court and Chief Magistrate A. O Komolafe granted him bail in the sum of N50m with two sureties in like sum who must own landed properties in Lagos. The sureties were also directed to deposit their international passports with the Court.
Komolafe also directed that Ayantunji be remanded in Ikoyi Prison until he is able to fulfill the bail conditions and adjourned the case till January 9th, 2018.
