KINGSLEY EBERE
Two women, Chinwe Chukwujekwu, 56 and Katherine Alero Ukandu, 54, have been arrested and charged in Lagos State for allegedly hypnotising and obtaining the sum of N26m from a woman, Faith Okonji, under false pretence.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened between 2023 and 2024 in Ikeja and Ijanikin areas of Lagos.
According to the Police, the suspects told the victim that they had the contact for Herbal products, which they will supply to her. They demanded her to bring the money in question, which she did without finding out if it was true or not.
However, after the complainant had paid the money, they bolted away, did not supply the Herbal products and then disconnected every communication they had with the victim.
The matter was reported to the Police at MAN Centre Division in Ikeja. The operatives moved into action, eventually arrested and detained the suspects at the station for interrogation over their alleged conduct.
During interrogation, the Police discovered that there was no Herbal products to supply and there was no money to refund the victim. The Police found them culpable and consequently charged them before the Ogba Magistrate Court for the alleged offence.
The charges read:
That you, Chinwe Chukwujekwu ‘T, and Katherine Alero Ukandu ‘f between 2023 and 2024 in Ikeja and ljanikin in the Ikeja Magisterial District, did conspire among yourselves to hypnotize and obtain by false pretense from one Faith Okonji ‘f the sum of N26,000,000 and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.”
COUNT II: That you, Chinwe Chukwujekwu ‘f and Katherine Alero Ukandu ‘f between 2023 and 2024 in Ikeja and Ijanikin in the Ikeja Magisterial District, did obtain the sum of N26,000,000 by false pretense from your victim, one Faith Okonji ‘f for the procurement of herbal product and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.”
They pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Supol Akeem Raji, then asked the Court to give a date for hearing since they pleaded not guilty to enable the Police to prove that they actually committed the alleged offence.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mr. L.A. Owolabi, granted them bail with two sureties, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment while addresses will be verified by the Court.
The matter was adjourned for mention while the defendant were remanded in custody at the correctional center at Kirikiri town, Lagos, pending when they will perfect their bail conditions.