A 39-year-old man, Charles Ezeanyika, on Thursday appeared before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court, for alleged N8.5 million fraud.

Ezeanyika, whose address was not provided, is facing a four-count charge of breach of peace, impersonation, fraud and stealing.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecutor, ASP Victor Eruada, told the court that the defendant committed the offence in Dec. 2019, at Port Authority, Lagos.

Eruada said the defendant collected N8.5 million from the complainant,  Mr Stephen Nwaukoni, that he would help him purchase a Toyota Highlander SxE 350 Jeep, but failed to do so.

He said the defendant paraded himself as a registered car dealer, a presentation he knew was false.

The prosecutor said all efforts made by the complainant to get the vehicle or his money proved abortive.

He said the offence contravened Sections 168,(d), 380 (1), 287 and 314 (1) (a) (b) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 287 stipulates three years’ jail term for stealing.

The Magistrate, Mrs T.A. Tanimola, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.

Tanimola adjourned the case until July 28 for mention.

NAN