A 34-year-old man, Abubakar Abdullahi, on Thursday appeared before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly obtaining N30 million by false pretenses.
Abdullahi is facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretense and stealing.
The prosecutor, Supol Josephine Ikhayere, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on June 10, 2025, at about 2.30 p.m. on Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.
Ikhayere alleged that the defendant conspired with others still at large to commit the offences.
She said Abdullahi fraudulently induced one Mr Ogodiunor Godwin to transfer N30 million into his UBA account under the guise of purchasing two Toyota Hilux vehicles at an auction at Ikoyi Club.
According to her, the defendant neither fulfilled the promise nor refunded the money, but dishonestly converted the sum to his personal use.
The prosecutor said the offences contravened Sections 287, 314(3) and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 287 prescribes three years imprisonment for stealing, while Section 314(3) provides 15 years imprisonment for obtaining by false pretense.
Section 411, however, prescribes two years imprisonment for conspiracy.
The Magistrate, Mr Lateef Owolabi, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N1 million with two reliable sureties in like sum.
He adjourned the case until May 28 for hearing. (NAN)
