Man arraigned for allegedly duping friend of goods worth ₦22m

A businessman, Moritz Ani, accused of duping his friend of goods worth ₦22 million, has on Thursday been charged before a Magistrates’ Court in Igbosere, Lagos State.

37-year-old Ani was charged on five counts of conspiracy, fraud, stealing and breach of peace.

The Prosecutor, Insp. Francis Igbinosa, informed the court ‎that Ani and others still on the run, perpetrated the alleged crime between 2004 and 2008, at No. 9, Debo Ani, Omole Estate, and Suite A103, Ikota Complex, Victoria Island, Lagos, respectively.

Igbonisa said that the defendant collected goods under the guise of selling and remitting the earnings to the complainant, one Hilary Ugo, but failed to do so.

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He claimed that the suspect obtained 55,000 pieces of female clothes at the rate of ₦400 each, all valued at ₦22 million.

The prosecutor added that the accused also stole car and land documents, bank cheque booklets, and international passport, all owned by the same complainant, Ugo.

Igbonisa noted that offences breached Sections 166, 287, 314 and 411 of (d) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

However, the accused, pleaded not guilty of the five-count charge.

Consequently, the Magistrate, Mrs O. Kusanu, granted Ani bail in the sum of ₦100,000, with two sureties in like sum.

The case was adjourned until November 24 for mention.