A 55-year-old estate agent, Adewale Omolaja, who allegedly impersonated a man and defrauded stock brokers of N8.5 million, was on Wednesday docked at an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.
Omolaja, whose address is unknown, is standing trial on a four-count charge of conspiracy, impersonation, forgery and fraud.
According to the prosecutor, Insp. Adoga Amedu, the accused with others still at large committed the offences sometime in April in Lagos.
Amedu said the accused allegedly presented himself as Mr Joseph Adebayo with some forged documents including bank’s forms for opening account and a driver’s licence.
“The accused used the forged documents to defraud Midas Stock Brokers Ltd of N8.5 million.
“The accused fraudulently sold shares belonging to Adebayo and also converted same to his own.’’
The offences, Amedu noted, contravened Sections 285, 363, 378 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
The accused pleaded not guilty.
The News Agency of Nigeri (NAN) reports that Sections 285 and 378 provide three years imprisonment each for offenders.
Counsel to the accused, Mr Chris Owen-Brown, urged the court to admit the accused to a bail on liberal terms.
In her ruling, the Magistrate, Mrs J. O. Adepoju, granted the accused bail in the sum of N250, 000 with two sureties in like sum.
She said the sureties, who should be resident in Lagos, must be gainfully employed and also show evidence of three years’ tax payment.
The case has been adjourned to Sept. 9 for mention. (NAN)
