A suspected fraudster, Henry Adelaye, on Friday appeared before an Ebute Meta Magistrates' Court in Lagos over alleged impersonation and theft of N700,000.
?Unemployed 43-year-old Adelaye is standing trial on a four-count charge of impersonation, stealing, forgery and obtaining money under pretext.
?He, however, pleaded not guilty.
?According to the prosecutor, Insp??R. Odigie, Adelaye, who has no fixed address, impersonated an employee of the French Embassy in Nigeria to fraudulently collect ?the sum from one Mr Harrison Anigbere.
“The defendant, with the intent to defraud, obtained the sum from Anigbere to process travel documents for him, a representation he knew to be false.
“He also forged an international passport No. A02681428 with the name Vincent Ibenezi, with the intent that it may be used or acted upon as ?genuine,” Odigie submitted.
?The prosecutor said that the crimes were committed on Jan. 11, 2011 at the Alagbado area of Lagos.
He added that the offences contravened Sections 285, 312, 363 and 409 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State, 2011.
The magistrate, Mrs O.A. Ogala, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N200, 000 with two sureties? in like sum.
?She adjourned the case till Oct. 16 for mention. (NAN)