close
Thursday, August 14, 2025

Clearing agent arraigned for allegedly defrauding client N10.2 million

Ms Ikhayere alleged that the defendant conducted himself in a manner likely to cause a breach of the peace by causing confusion.

• August 14, 2025
Court room
Courtroom used to tell the story

The police in Lagos State on Thursday arraigned a 32-year-old clearing agent, Chidiebere Igwe, before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly defrauding a client N10.2 million in a goods-clearing scam.

The defendant, whose address was not provided, pleaded not guilty to charges of fraud, breach of peace and stealing.

The prosecutor, SP Josephine Ikhayere, told the court that the defendant committed the offences sometime in Nov. 2024 at Lopan Company, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.

Ms Ikhayere alleged that the defendant conducted himself in a manner likely to cause a breach of the peace by causing confusion.

Ms Ikhayere told the court that the defendant fraudulently obtained the sum of N10,046,000 from the complainant, Michael Friday, under the pretence of clearing goods from Tincan Island Port, Apapa, for him but failed to do so.

She added that the defendant also collected N250,000 from the complainant under the pretence of purchasing a generator for him but converted the money to his personal use.

“The defendant obtained the money knowing that he would not fulfill the agreement. He was arrested and handed over to the police for prosecution. The offences contravene Sections 168, 283, and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015,” she said.

The Magistrate, Lateef Owolabi, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.

He ordered that one of the sureties must be gainfully employed and adjourned the case until September 11 for mention.

(NAN)

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

Abubakar Kyari

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Tinubu giving an address

Heading 3

Tinubu made cancer treatment possible in Nigeria, says information minister

Mr Tinubu has done so well that one will wonder if he is in his second. term.

Ibok-Ete Ibas

Port Harcourt

Group urges domestication of FOI Act in Rivers

A civil society organisation known as Connected Development has called for the domestication of the Freedom of Information Act in Rivers.

INEC Photo (Credit: Punch Newspapers)

Politics

Election tribunal constituted for Kaduna’s bye-elections

The Court of Appeal has constituted the National State Assembly Election Petition Tribunal for the 2025 bye-elections in Kaduna.

RUSSIAN FLAG

World

Russia kills two in Ukraine’s Kherson region

The settlements are located on the outskirts of the regional capital, Kherson, on the northern bank of the Dnipro River.

Rex Onyeabo

Politics

Former PDP national secretary Rex Onyeabo dies at 80

His son, Obiora Onyeabo, announced his demise in a statement on Thursday. According to him, the former PDP chieftain passed on peacefully on August 7.