Crime
Auto mechanic arraigned for allegedly defrauding customer
An auto mechanic, Jonathan Odia, on Friday, appeared before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly converting a customer’s N130,000 meant for the repair of her faulty car into personal use.
Odia, whose house address was not provided, was arraigned on a three-count charge of conspiracy, stealing and obtaining money under false pretences, to which he, however, pleaded not guilty.
The Prosecutor, W/Insp. Evenly Ehiemua, said that the defendant committed the offences sometime in August 2019 at the Toll Gate Mechanic Village, Oregun, Ikeja.
Ehiemua alleged that Odia collected N130,000 from the complainant, Mrs Gbemisola Benson, with a promise to help her repair the gear of her Hyundai SUV.
“Odia claimed that he specialised in repairing of Hyundai car gear, a claim he knew was false,” the prosecutor said.
She further told the court that the defendant, rather than effect the repair on the gear, converted the N130,000 paid by the complainant into his personal use and damaged the ignition key of the car, worth N200,000.
“All attempts made by Benson to get her money back from Odia were unsuccessful,” the prosecutor said.
According to her, the offences contravene Sections 411, 287 and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
Newsmen report that, while Section 287 stipulates three years imprisonment for stealing, Section 314 provides for a 15-year jail term for obtaining under false pretence.
The Magistrate, Mrs A. O. Daudu, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N100,000, with one surety in like sum.
She, thereafter, adjourned the case till Jan. 30, for mention.
NAN
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