Trader docked for absconding with goods worth N685,000

A Lagos-based trader, Joseph Orji, has been arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly obtaining 16,485 cartons of Dettol disinfectant worth N685,000 by false pretences.
Orji, is facing a two-count charge of obtaining by false pretences and stealing.
Police Prosecutor Innocent Odugbo told the court that the accused committed the offences in October 2017 at 17, Railway Line, Agege.
He said the accused obtained the cartons of the disinfectant from Mr Hali Shehu with a promise that he would sell them and remit the proceeds to the complainant.
“After collecting the cartons of the Dettol disinfectant from the complainant, the accused absconded while all efforts made by the complainant to locate him failed,” the prosecutor said.
According to him, the complainant, however, sighted the accused four months after he had been searching for him.
He said that the accused was apprehended with the help of some passers-by and handed over to the police.
The prosecutor said that the offences contravened Sections 287 and 314 (1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 287 stipulates a three-year jail term for offenders.
The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges.
In his ruling, the magistrate, Mr A. O. Komolafe granted the accused bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case till February 26, for mention.