Court Remands Man For False Pretence

A Port Harcourt Chief Magistrate Court, has remanded a 45 years old man, Victor Eze in prison custody for allegedly stealing by tricks, otherwise known as 419.

The accused person, 45, is standing trial on two count charge bordering on stealing by tricks and false pretence before Chief Magistrate I.F. Iyiabo.

The Prosecuting Police Officer, Inspector Isaiah Wilson told the court that the accused person, on the 28th of August, 2009 at No. 10 Omoku Street, D/Line, Port Harcourt in the Port Harcourt magisterial district did by false pretence and intent to defraud, obtain from one Alfred Baah some petroleum products worth two million and forty five thousand Naira (2,045,000) under the  guise of supplying same to his company, Cream Gomac Services Limited.

The police prosecutor further alleged that the accused person, on the same date and place did issue Fin Bank Plc’s cheque valued at (N2,045,000) in favour of Cream Gomac Services Limited which was dishonoured on the ground that no fund was standing to the credit of the drawer, adding that the accused person committed an offence punishable under section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee fraud and other related offences Act Cap. Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2006, as well as section 1 (b) (1) of the dishonoured cheques (offences) Act of the Federation 1990.

The accused person, however, did not take any plea on the charges.

Ruling on the matter, the presiding Chief Magistrate, I.F. Iyiabo stated that the court lacked jurisdiction to grant the accused bail due to the gravity of the offence he committed.

The presiding Chief Magistrate while remanding the accused person in prison custody, however, told him that he was at liberty to approach a High Court of competent jurisdiction for his bail.