A 27-year-old man, Ezekiel Adeleke Sunday, was yesterday arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrate’s Court for allegedly stealing N53,185,000 from 12 traders under the pretence of supplying them Dangote Cement.
Prosecuting Inspector N. Peter told Magistrate Y. O. Aje-Afunwa that the defendant committed the offence on May 22 in several towns, including Berger, Ketu, Lekki, Alagbado, Ikorodu, Ajangbadi in Lagos State; Ibeshe, Ogijo, Ilaro and Abeokuta in Ogun State.
He said the defendant’s victims paid money into his account number 3056277806 with FirstBank.
According to him, Patience Ukpebia of Berger paid N7,075,000 for 3,000 bags of cement; Ogunsola Omolara of Ketu, N4,200,000 for 1,200 bags; Adeola Paul of Lekki, N1,650,000; Gidado Greatmind of Alagbado, N1,420,00 for 600 bags of cement; Funmilayo Aina of Lekki, N6,399,000; Adefuye Adesoga of Ikorodu, N1,350,000; Ikeh Helen of Ibeshe, N19,166,000.
Others include Akunyera Titilayo from Ogijo, N1,370,000; Oladele John from Ajangbadi, N3,400,000; Adaraloye Saheed of Ilaro, N1,445,000; Bello Temitope Muiz of Ilaro, N2,900,000; Bello Johnson Adeyinka of Olomore Abeokuta, N2,810,000.
Inspector Peter said the offence was contrary to and punishable under Section 312(1)(b) and 285(1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
Ezekiel pleaded not guilty.
Magistrate Aje-Afunwa granted him N2million bail with two sureties in the like sum.
The sureties, he said, must show evidence of tax payment and have verifiable property in Lagos.
She adjourned the matter till November 23.