A painter has found himself in more trouble than he saw coming after making away with a client's N0.8m in Lagos.
Wisdom Godwin, a 28-year-old painter, who allegedly obtained N850,000 from a man, Uche Ezejesi, on the pretext of painting his new house, on Friday appeared in an Apapa Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.
NAN reports that Godwin, a resident of Festac Town, Lagos, is standing trial on a two-count charge of stealing and obtaining money under false pretences.
The prosecutor, Insp. Tony Elibeh told the court that the accused, who entered a ‘not-guilty’ plea, committed the offences sometime in 2015 at Green Estate, Amuwo-Odofin, Festac Town.
Elibeh alleged that the accused fraudulently obtained N850,000 from the complainant with a promise to paint his house.
He claimed that the accused instead of painting the house absconded with Ezejesi’s money.
Elibeh said when the complainant went to Godwin’s house and demanded his money since he had refused to paint the house.
He said the accused, who had converted the money to personal use, started giving excuses.
The offences contravened Sections 287 and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).
Section 314 of the 1999 Constitution prescribes 15-year jail term for false pretences.
The Chief Magistrate, Mr Titus Abolarinwa, granted the accused bail in the sum of N400,000 with two sureties in like sum.
Further hearing in the case has been fixed for June 7.