By Richard Benjamin
A 33-year-old man, Adebowale Taiwo, appeared before an Ejigbo Magistrates’ Court in Lagos on Friday, July 17, over allegations that he defrauded a businessman of N8.7 million under the pretext of purchasing a fairly used binding machine.
Taiwo, whose address was not disclosed, is facing a two-count charge of fraud and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace. He pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The prosecutor, ASP Simon Njue, told the court that the alleged offences were committed on Oct. 13, 2025, at No. 23 Okunobe St., Ikotun-Egbe, Lagos.
Njue alleged that the defendant collected N8.7 million from the complainant, Mr Bonaventure Chibueze, to purchase the machine but failed to do so and instead converted the money to his personal use.
He further alleged that Taiwo acted in a manner likely to cause a breach of the peace by refusing to refund the complainant’s money. According to the prosecution, the offences contravene Sections 323 and 168(d) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
Section 323 prescribes a maximum prison term of seven years for fraud, while Section 168(d) carries a two-year jail term for conduct likely to breach the peace.
Magistrate F.R. Ogunkoyode granted the defendant bail in the sum of N300,000 with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case until Aug. 8 for mention.
