KINGSLEY EBERE
Police operatives from the Lagos State Command have arrested three Ladipo Market Spare Parts traders for allegedly swindling a business man, Onyedika Mgbeneme, to the tune of N8m under false pretence.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the traders were Emmanuel Okeke, 38, Godwin Onyedika, 41, and Lawrence Nnamani, 54.
The incident happened at the Ladipo Market, Mushin area of Lagos.
The traders were said to have obtained the money from the complainant under the false pretence of selling one Range Rover Sport 2018 model to him, which turned out to be a scam.
Their arrest followed a petition to the Commissioner of Police, who ordered an investigation into the allegation of fraud against the traders. Thus, the CP Special Squad moved into action and arrested the traders while others escaped and are now at large.
According to the Police, they obtained the money with the promise to sell the vehicle but after he paid the money, they bolted away and did not supply the vehicle as they agreed.
Having been found culpable after they arrested and thoroughly interrogated, the Police charged them before the Ogba Magistrate Court for the alleged conspiracy and stealing under the Criminal law of the State.
The charges read:
“That you, Emmanuel Okeke ‘m’, Godwin Onyedikachi ‘m’, Lawrence Nnamani and others now at large on the 18th day of March, 2025 at about 1000hrs, at Ladipo Spare Part Market in the Lagos Magisterial District, did conspire amongst yourselves to obtain money by faise pretence, stealing by conversion and thereby committed an offence Contrary to and Punishable under Section 411 of the Criminal Law of State of Nigeria, 2021.”
COUNT 11:” That you, Emmanuel Okeke ‘m’, Godwin Onyedikachi ‘m’, Lawrence Nnamani ‘m’ and others at large, on the same date, time and place, in the aforesaid Magisterial District, obtained the sum of Eight million Naira (N8,000,000.00) from one Onyedika Mobeneme ‘m’ under the pretence to sell one Range Rover Sport 2018 model to him, knowing same to be false and thereby committed an offence Contrary to Section 313 and Punishable under Section 314(1)(a)(b)(2)(3) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”
COUNT III:”That you, Emmanuel Okeke ‘n’, Godwin Onyedikachi ‘m’, Lawrence Nnarmani ‘m’ the same date, time and place, in the aforesaid Magisterial District, did steal the sum of million Naira (N8,000,000.00), property of one Onyedika Mgbeneme ‘m’ and thereby committed an offence Contrary to Section 280 and Punishable under Section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.”
However, 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 Chief Magistrate, Mrs. O. Kusanu, granted them bail with 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 defendants were remanded in custody at the correctional center at Kirikiri town, Lagos, pending when they will perfect their bail conditions.