A recent case at the Badagry Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos State offers a clear, real-world example of how Nigeria’s legal system handles fraud charges, even for relatively modest sums. On Tuesday, December 23, 2025, 30-year-old Anax Isah was arraigned and pleaded guilty to defrauding a complainant of N170,000 (approximately $200 USD, depending on exchange rates). This plea set in motion a specific judicial procedure that provides insight into the Criminal Law of Lagos State.
Magistrate Mr. A. J. Aina did not pass sentence immediately. Instead, he ordered the defendant’s remand at the Badagry Correctional Centre until January 12. This interim period is crucial. In Nigerian criminal procedure, after a guilty plea, the court conducts a “review of facts.” This is where the prosecution presents evidence to substantiate the charge and the details of the crime, ensuring the plea is informed and the court has a complete factual basis for sentencing. The sentencing hearing is then held on the subsequent date.
According to the prosecution, led by ASP Edet Ekpo, the offence occurred on November 1 in the Ibereko area of Badagry. The defendant allegedly obtained the money from the complainant—interestingly also named Anax Isah—under the false pretence of supplying two bags of beans, a promise he never fulfilled. This highlights a common type of fraud: obtaining money or property by false pretences, where the criminal intent is established at the point of making a promise with no intention of fulfilling it.
The charge was brought under Section 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. This section specifically addresses “Obtaining by false pretences, cheating,” and prescribes a penalty of up to three years imprisonment. The application of this law to a case involving bags of beans demonstrates its breadth in covering both minor and major fraudulent schemes within the state’s commercial landscape.
This case, while straightforward, underscores several key points for the public: the importance of due diligence in transactions, even for everyday goods; the role of the police in investigating and prosecuting such crimes; and the structured, step-by-step nature of the magistrates’ court process, from arraignment and plea to fact-review and final sentencing. The court’s adjournment to January 12 for the next phase is a standard part of ensuring judicial thoroughness.
Edited by Sandra Umeh
