A 34-year-old gospel artist, Rotachukwu Ugwueze, on Tuesday appeared before a Tinubu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly defrauding his friend of N1.5 million.
The accused, whose address was not provided, was arraigned on a two-count charge of theft and fraud.
Ugwueze, however, denied the charges and was granted N200, 000 bail with two sureties in like sum.
Prosecutor Ben Ekundayo told the court that the accused committed the offences on Aug. 23 at 10:00 a.m. at No. 45 Martins St., Lagos Island.
He said that the accused defrauded his friend, Kingsley Chukwumeze, who he approached with a proposal to help him finance a footwear business.
Ekundayo said that the accused promised that after the sales he would return the capital and share the profit with Chukwumeze.
He said that Chukwumeze gave Ugwueze N1.5 million to start the business, but the accused did not fulfil any of the terms of their agreement.
The offences contravened Sections 287 and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The sections carry three years and 15 years imprisonment, respectively for offenders.
The Magistrate, Mrs Olumide Fusika, said that the accused must provide two responsible sureties.
She said one of the sureties must be a relation of the accused and the other a community leader.
She adjourned the case until October 11 for trial.
