Mechanic docked for allegedly cheating customer

A mechanic, Christian Ehimukhuai, was on Thursday docked in a Grade 1 Area Court, Kubwa, Abuja, for allegedly cheating his customer.

The police charged the defendant, a resident of Byazhin Across, Abuja, with criminal breach of trust, misappropriation and cheating.

The prosecutor, Mr Chinedu Ogada, told the court that the complainant, Mr Mazi Amaralam, filed a direct complaint against the defendant in court on Feb.9.

Ogada alleged that the complainant gave the defendant his Peugeot 406 to repair on Nov.10, 2022.

He said the defendant gave him an estimate of N48, 000 for the repair.

The prosecutor said that the complainant entrusted to the defendant, N9, 500, engine oil, N1000 oil filter, wheel spanner worth N6,000, spare tyre valued at N16, 000 and N8, 000 fuel.

He added that the defendant sold the items, misappropriated the money and refused to repair the vehicle.

The offence, he said, contravened the provisions of Sections 312, 309 and 322 of the Penal Code.

According to section 312, whoever commits criminal breach of trust shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to seven years or with a fine or both.

Section 322 states that whoever cheats shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years or with a fine or both.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty.

The judge, Yahaya Sheshi admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N500, 000 with one surety who must be resident within the court’s jurisdiction.

He adjourned the case until March 23 for hearing.