Event planner faces N4.3m fraud charge

Baba Williams, a 28-year-old event organizer, who allegedly obtained N4.3million from a businessman under false pretences, appeared before a Tinubu Magistrates Court in Lagos on Tuesday.

Williams, who resides on Idejo Street on Victoria Island in Lagos, faces a trial on three counts of conspiracy, false pretence and theft against him by police.

Prosecutor Inspector Micheal Unah told the court that the accused and others still at large committed the offences in March at Lekki Phase 1 in Lagos State.

He said Williams obtained the sum of N4.3 million from the plaintiff, Mr Godspower Adah, under the pretext of exchanging the money for its dollar equivalent, but did not do so.

He stated that the Respondent, therefore, converted the said money for his personal use.

Unah said the offences violated Articles 287, 314 and 411 of the Lagos State Criminal Law, 2015.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The magistrate, Ms TO Omoyele, granted the defendant a bond in the amount of N1 million with two bonds of an equivalent amount.

Omoyele ordered that sureties must provide proof of the three-year tax payment to the Lagos state government and their national identification number cards.

She adjourned the case until July 12 for mention. (NAN)