Mechanic Arraigned Over ₦200,000 Alleged Engine Fraud

-The accused mechanic has pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge leveled against him

-The accused committed the offences on September 22, 2016 at Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, Abule-Egba, Lagos

Mechanic in court for allegedly defrauding customer of ₦200,000 engine

A mechanic,  Adebori Sabitu,has been arraigned in an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, for allegedly receiving ₦200,000 from a customer to fix his car engine.

A resident of Igbogbo, Lagos,  35-year-old Sabitu has been arraigned today, Thursday, on a two count charge for fraud and stealing.

The prosecutor, ASP. Ezekiel Ayorinde, informed the court that Sabitu committed the offences on September 22, 2016 at Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, Abule-Egba, Lagos.

He added that the suspect collected ₦200, 000 from Mr Adeola Fadairo under the guise of purchasing a brand new car engine to repair his Mitsubishi montero jeep but failed to fix it.

Ayorinde said that the complainant also gave ₦18, 000 to Sabitu for workmanship.

Speaking further, the prosecutor said 15 months after the complainant took his vehicle to the suspect to repair , all efforts to retrieve his money proved abortive.

The complainant reported the issue to the police and the accused was arrested, the prosecutor added.

The offence contravened Sections 287 and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).

Section 314 prescribes 15 year jail term for obtaining money under false pretences.

Sabitu pleaded not guilty of the offences and was granted bail in the sum of ₦200, 000 with two sureties in like sum by magistrate Mrs O.J Awope.

The magistrate added that the sureties should be gainfully employed and show evidences of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

Awope adjourned the case until January 29, for mention.