A head teacher at Saint Peter’s Anglican School in Ogun State, Christiana Ikara, has been arraigned before a Lagos Magistrate court sitting in Igbosere, for allegedly defrauding her friend of £28,000 under false pretence of helping her purchase landed properties.
55-year-old Christiana Ikara, who resides in Ogun State, was arraigned on Thursday before Magistrate Mr B. I. Bakare on a three-count charge of conspiracy, stealing, obtaining and fraud, preferred against her by the Police.
She was accused of conniving with her sons, who acted as agent and lawyer, respectively, to defraud Mrs. Isoken Ilekhuoba, who had been her friends for 31 years.
The prosecutor, Superintendent George Nwosu, told the court that the defendant and others now at large, committed the offences in April 2019.
He said that the defendant obtained £28,000 (N13,400,000), from the complainant, Mrs. Ilekhuoba, under disguise of helping her purchase landed property, which she knew was false. Nwosu said:
“The defendant obtained the said money from Ilekhuoba, that she was going to help her purchase a two-flat bungalow and a three-bedroom flat, which she knew to be false.
“Ikara, with intent to defraud, stole the said money by false presence,” The prosecutor said.
According to him, the offence committed is contrary to Section 280 and punishable under Sections 411, 413 and 287, of the criminal law of Lagos state 2015.
However, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge levelled against her.
Lawyer to the defendant, Emmanuel Okedi, urged the court to grant her bail in liberal terms as she was still presumed innocent, adding that his client is a senior and responsible citizen.
However, Nwosu, prayed the court to give the defendant a very stringent bail, to ensure she attends court proceedings.
Consequently, Magistrate Mr B. I. Bakare, admitted her to bail in the sum of N1million, with two sureties in like sum.
He ordered that one of the sureties should deposit the sum of N250,000, with the chief registrar.
Bakare also ordered that the second surety must be a landowner and the two sureties must be residents of Lagos state.
He ordered that the sureties must show means of livelihood, means of identification, three years tax payment to Lagos state government and have their addresses verified.
The case was adjourned till March 24, 2020, for mention.
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