A 52-year-old driver, Michael Adefesojaiye, who allegedly bolted with N1.4 million mistakenly transferred into his account instead of N14,000, was on Thursday brought before a Tinubu Chief Magistrates’ Court.

Adefesojaiye, who resides at No.3 Yahyah Arandun St., Kudebe, Ijegun area of Lagos, is facing a charge of theft.

The prosecutor, Sgt. Hafsat Ajibode, told the court that the accused committed the offence on Jan. 9 at No. 8 John St., Lagos Island.

Ajibode said that the accused stole N1.4 million, which the complainant, Mrs Idera Onikoyi, mistakenly transferred to his account through E-transfer, instead of N14,000 she intended to send to him.

“The accused had helped Onikoyi to carry some consignment and charged N14,000 for his service, which the complainant promised to transfer to him.

“The accused sent his UBA account to the complainant and another customer, who the complainant wanted to pay N1.4 million, also sent a UBA account.

“Onikoyi mistakenly transferred N1.4 million into the accused’s account and was not aware of her mistake until the customer, whom the money was meant for called her five days later that only N14,000 entered his account.

“By then, Adefesojaiye had withdrawn the money from his account and absconded, while all efforts to locate him yielded no results.

“The complainant then reported the case to the police, who later traced and apprehended the accused,” Ajibode said.

According to her, the offence contravened Section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

Section 287 prescribes three years imprisonment for any offender upon conviction.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr Tajudeen Elias, admitted the accused to N1 million bail with one surety in like sum.

Elias said that the surety must be gainfully employed and must be a relative of the accused.

He then adjourned the case until Sept. 3 for mention.