Foreign exchange dealer risks 15 years in jail over $9,000 theft

A bureau de change operator, Hamza Mohammed, could spend 15 years in jail if found guilty in a case of stealing the sum of $9,000 (N3.19 million) he has been charged with. Muhammed, 40, was yesterday dragged before an Ebute Meta chief magistrate’s court on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, stealing and obtaining money […]

A bureau de change operator, Hamza Mohammed, could spend 15 years in jail if found guilty in a case of stealing the sum of $9,000 (N3.19 million) he has been charged with.

Muhammed, 40, was yesterday dragged before an Ebute Meta chief magistrate’s court on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, stealing and obtaining money under false pretences.

 He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

 Inspector Cousin Adams, the prosecutor, told the court that the accused committed the offences on April 7, 2017 at the Sabo modern market in Yaba, in the Lagos metropolis.

Adams said that Mohammed had posed as a bureau de change operator in a position to assist in converting the sum of $9,000 to Naira for Miss Adebola Adelani, the complainant.

 The accused was also said to have claimed he would remit the N3.19m, as converted, to the complainant within five days, but failed to do so.

 The prosecutor told the court that the offences contravened Sections 280, 314, 380(1) and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. Section 314 stipulates a 15-year jail term for obtaining by false pretences.

Ruling on Muhammed’s bail application, the magistrate, Helen Omisore, granted him bail in the sum of N1m with “two responsible and gainfully employed” sureties in like sum.

Omisore then adjourned the case until October 11, 2017 for mention.