A 48-year-old trader, Nura Muhammad, was arraigned before a Lagos Magistrate Court over allegations of obtaining flour worth N13,230,000 under false pretence at Old Oko-Oba Road, Orile, Agege.
The defendant appeared before the Lagos Magisterial District Court following the charge filed by the Commissioner of Police.
According to the charge sheet, the alleged incident occurred on the 20th day of June, 2021 at Orile, Agege, Lagos.
In Count I, the prosecution alleged that Nura Muhammad, with intent to defraud, obtained Nine Hundred (900) bags of Bakewell Flour Mill.
The flour was said to be the property of Safurat Bakare, Managing Director of Kay-Solak Nigeria Ventures.
The prosecution alleged that the defendant obtained the goods under the pretence of selling, knowing the representation to be false.
The offence is punishable under Section 314 (1) (a) (b) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.
In Count II, the Police alleged that on the same date, time and place, the defendant dishonestly stole the same 900 bags of Bakewell Flour Mill.
Each bag was valued at Fourteen Thousand, Seven Hundred Naira (N14,700.00). The total value of the alleged stolen items was Thirteen Million, Two Hundred and Thirty Thousand Naira (N13,230,000.00).
The charge stated that the property belonged to Safurat Bakare of Kay-Solak Nigeria Ventures.
The offence is contrary to Section 280 (1) (a) (b) and punishable under Section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The case file was handled by the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Ogba.
Prosecution was led by operatives from the Command Special Squad II, Ikeja.
The defendant pleaded not guilty.
Prosecutor, SP Philip Ademigbuji, asked the Court to give a date for hearing to enable the Police to prove the allegations.
The presiding Magistrate, Mrs. O. Kusanu, granted him bail with two sureties who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment.
The defendant was remanded in custody at the Correctional Centre at Kirikiri town, Lagos, pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.
Legal experts noted that the charges relate to obtaining by false pretence and stealing under Lagos State law.
Under the Nigerian law, every accused person is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.