A 39-year-old printer, Banjo Fagbemi, who allegedly bolted with a customer’s N450,000, was on Wednesday charged in an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos. 

Fagbemi, who resides in Ikorodu, Lagos State, was arraigned on a two-count charge of fraud and stealing. 

The Prosecutor, ASP Ezekiel Ayorinde, told the court that the accused committed the offences sometime in March at Adeniyi Street, Ogba, Lagos. 

Ayorinde said that the accused fraudulently obtained N450,000 from Hair Beauty SPA Salon Company Ltd under the pretext of printing handbills, call cards and price lists for the company. 

“The accused collected the money and absconded. He refused to pick the complainant’s calls. 

“All efforts made to locate the accused or retrieve the money proved unsuccessful until he was arrested and handed over to the police,” he said. 

He said that the offences contravened Sections 287 and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised). 

The offence is punishable under the law and the accused may be jailed for 15 years if found guilty of stealing, in accordance with the provisions of Section 314. 

The accused however pleaded not guilty to the charges leveled against him. 

The Magistrate, O.J. Awope, granted bail to the accused in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum. 

Awope said that the sureties must be gainfully employed and show evidence of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government. 

The case was adjourned until Nov. 17 for mention. 

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