A housewife, Mrs Paris Sanusi has dragged a builder, Michael Ajayi, 57, before a Lagos Magistrate Court for allegedly obtaining the sum of N2.8m from her under false pretence.
The accused was arrested by the operatives of the Federal Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, FCIID, Alagbon Close, Ikoyi, Lagos.
Ajayi was charged before an Igbosere Magistrate Court, Lagos on a two-count charge of felony to wit. stealing.
Prosecuting Counsel, Moruf Animashaun informed the court in charge No A/72/2017 that the accused committed the alleged offence in March, 2016 at 88 Wura Esesan Street, Ashogbon Estate, Adeniyi Jones, Lagos.
Animashaun told the court that the complainant reported to the Police that the accused claimed to be a building engineer and collected the sum of N2.8m from her to erect a structure for her, but that after he collected the money since 2016, the accused failed to erect the structure and also failed to refund the money to her since he could not fulfill the agreement.
According to him, the complainant further stated that she reported the matter to the Police when all her efforts to recover her hard earned money from the accused proved abortive.
He said that the offences the accused committed were punishable under sections 314 (1)(b)(3) and 287 (5)(a) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State,2015.
Ajayi, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges in the open Court and Chief Magistrate,O.O Oshin granted the accused bail in the sum of N250,000 with one surety in like sum.
Oshin adjourned the case till 13 December, 2017 for mention and ordered that the defendant be kept at the Ikoyi Prison, Lagos till he is able to fulfill the bail conditions.