A 34-year-old man, Eze Nwaneka, was on Monday charged before an Ota Magistrates' Court in Ogun for allegedly collecting 30 bags of rice under false pretence.
The accused, who lives at No.11, Ilo-Awera St., Ota, is facing a three-count charge of stealing, conspiracy and obtaining goods under false pretence.
The Prosecutor, Sgt. Itaita Ebibomino, told the court that the accused and others still at large committed the offences sometime in January at Sango-Ota garage.
Ebibomino said that the accused and his accomplices conspired among themselves to collect 30 bags of rice valued at N138, 000 under false pretence from one Funke Idris.
He said that the offences contravened Sections 390 (9), 419 and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ogun, 2006.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Chief Magistrate, Funke Odubanjo, granted bail to the accused in the sum of N200, 000 with two sureties in like sum.
Odubanjo said that the sureties should be resident within the court's jurisdiction and should be gainfully employed.
She also directed the sureties to swear to an affidavit of means and produce one year’s tax clearance from Ogun State Government.
The magistrate said that the police should verify the addresses of the sureties.
She adjourned the case till May 3 for hearing.(NAN)
