A 60-year-old man, Frank Okenwa Edabor, was on Friday arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrate Court over allegations of obtaining a Toyota CHR 2019 model car valued at N24,000,000 by false pretence, stealing, and forgery.
The defendant was brought before Magistrate Mr. L.A. Owolabi on a three-count charge of obtaining by false pretence, stealing, and forgery, contrary to Sections 314, 287 and 365(a)(b) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.
The prosecutor, SP Josephine Ihkayere, told the court that the defendant allegedly committed the offences sometime in March 2026 at No. 7, Kodesho Street, Ikeja, within the Lagos Magisterial District.
According to the charge sheet, Count I stated that Frank Okenwa Edabor “did falsely pretend to have a potential buyer and obtained a Toyota CHR 2019 Model car value N24,000,000.00, property of one Mr. Offia Chimuanya” and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 314 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2015.
Count II alleged that on the same date and place, the defendant “did unlawfully convert and steal a Toyota CHR 2019 Model belonging to Mr. Offia Chimuanya” and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 287 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2015.
Count III further alleged that the defendant “did forge documents for a Toyota CHR 2019 Model car property of Mr. Offia Chimuanya as collateral to obtain loan from a Financial Institute” and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 365(a)(b) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2015.
The charge sheet indicated that the matter was being prosecuted by the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, Lagos State Ministry of Justice, with the Investigating Police Officer listed as Inspr. David Igho of Area F Command, Ikeja.
When the charges were read to him, the defendant pleaded not guilty to all three counts.
The prosecutor asked the court for a date to enable the prosecution to present its witnesses and evidence to prove the allegations against the defendant.
In his ruling, Magistrate Owolabi ordered that the defendant be remanded in custody at the Correctional Centre at Kirikiri Town pending further proceedings.
The court, however, granted the defendant bail with two sureties. The magistrate stated that the sureties must show evidence of means of livelihood and evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
Magistrate Owolabi adjourned the case for mention to allow the prosecution to complete investigations and assemble its witnesses.
Legal experts say Section 314 of the Criminal Law deals with obtaining property by false pretence, Section 287 covers stealing, while Section 365(a)(b) relates to forgery of documents. The penalty for forgery and stealing where the value exceeds N1,000,000 can attract significant jail terms upon conviction.
The complainant in the matter was the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command.
The Police have advised members of the public to be cautious when dealing with vehicle transactions and to verify ownership documents through appropriate government agencies to avoid falling victim to fraud.
The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a Court of competent jurisdiction.