…As Man docked over alleged N3.5m fraud***

A Badagry Magistrates’ Court in Lagos State on Tuesday remanded four men over alleged membership of an unlawful society and being in possession of charms and cutlasses.

The defendants are Yusuf Abu, 20, Rilwanu Dauda, 18, Mohammed Sikiru, 23, and Oladimeji Abayomi, 18.

The defendants, whose addresses are not known, were arraigned on a two-count charge of belonging to an unlawful society and being in possession of charms and cutlasses.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The Magistrate, Mr Patrick Adekomaiya, remanded the  defendants in prison and adjourned the case until Sept. 3  for mention.

Earlier, the Prosecutor, ASP. Patrick Nkem, had told the court that the defendants committed the offences on Aug.15 at about 11:30 a.m. at No 15 Alado Str., Shibiri Community, Ajangbadi, Lagos.

Nkem told the court that the defendants belonged to an unlawful society and had cutlasses and charms in their possession.

“One of the defendants, Abu, was caught administering oath on the three defendants,” he said.

Nkem  said that the defendants, who were in possession of cutlasses, were  inciting members of public.

He said that the offences contravened Sections 42, 41 and 45 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

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In the meantime, a 62-year-old man, Emmanuel Amuda, appeared before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court in Lagos on Tuesday for allegedly obtaining N3.5 million from a woman under the guise of selling a property to her.

Amuda, whose residential address was not given, is standing trial on a three-count charge of fraud, stealing and issuance of dud cheque.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against him by the police.

Earlier, the Prosecutor, Sgt. Friday Mameh, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on Feb. 6, 2018 and July 2, 2019 at No. 14, Taiwo Alade Close in Anjorin, Alagbado, near Lagos.

He said that Amuda obtained N3.5 million from one Olubukola Oshikoya, under the pretence of selling a property to her, knowing same to be false.

Mameh said that when the complainant asked that the money be paid back to her, the defendant issued her a Zenith bank cheque to the tune of N3.5 million, which was dishonoured, due to insufficient funds.

According to the prosecutor, the offences contravene Sections 287, 314(3) and 321 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The Magistrate, Mr B. I. Bakare, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

He said that the sureties must be gainfully employed and must show evidence of tax payments to the Lagos State Government.

The case was adjourned until Sept. 16 for mention.