A clearing and forwarding agent identified as Sola Popoola and another undisclosed person have been dragged to court over an alleged N7m fraud.

The car dealer who is based at Tincan port, Lagos State, was accused of defrauding one Adeolu Ajayi under false pretence.

The 65-year-old Popoola alongside his son, Dapo, who is at large, allegedly promised to procure four cars for the plaintiff and obtained the money without supplying the cars or making a refund.

The clearing agent who lives at No 86, Ebunoluwa street, off Haruna, Ogba, Lagos, appeared before Magistrate S. A Adesina, of Court 7, Iyaganku magistrate court in Ibadan, on Monday, while his son is said to still be at large.

The police prosecutor, Inspector Ahmed Yusuf, said that the duo obtained the money from Ajayi in December 2020.

He told the Court that the offence is punishable under section 516 of criminal code CAP 38 Vol 11 law of Oyo State of Nigeria 2000.

“That you Sola Popoola and others at large in December 2020 did conspire together to commit felony to wit: obtain money under false pretence and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 516 of criminal code CAP 38 Vol 11 law of Oyo State of Nigeria 2000.

“That you Sola Popoola and others at large did fraudulently obtained the sum of N7million, property of one Ajayi Adeolu under a guise of procuring four cars knowing fully to be false namely; Toyota Venza, Toyota Corolla and two Toyota Camry total valued sum of N7million and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 419B of criminal code CAP 38 Vol 11 law of Oyo State of Nigeria 2000.

“That you Sola Popoola and others at large did steal the sum of N7m property of one Ajayi Adeolu thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 390(2) of criminal code CAP 38 Vol 11 law of Oyo State of Nigeria 2000.”

Popoola pleaded not guilty to the charges.

After listening to the charges, Magistrate Adesina granted the accused bail with the condition to produce two sureties with one million naira (N1 million) each with a verified address.

One of the sureties must be a relation, with a verified address, according to the magistrate.

The judge then adjourned the case till 17 September 2021.