A businessman, Azeez Showumi, and a borehole driller, Ademola Akindele, were on Monday arraigned before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly obtaining N15 million by false pretence.
The defendants, who both live in Lekki, Lagos, are facing trial for conspiracy, obtaining by false pretences, stealing, causing breach of peace and fraud.
Earlier, the Prosecutor, ASP Raji Akeem, informed the court that the offences were committed in February 2023 at Chemview Estate, Lekki, Lagos.
Akeem said that the defendants obtained N15 million from Mr Seun Alimi under the pretence of installing an industrial borehole with potable water supply.
He said that since then, all efforts made by the complainant to get back his money failed, as the defendants kept giving excuses.
According to the prosecutor, the offences contravene sections 168, 287, 314, 323 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Bola Osunsanmi, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N500,000 each, with two sureties each in like sum and then adjourned the case till March 7 for mention.
