Woman Loses N4.5m To Fraudsters In Bid To Have Dollars Doubled

KINGSLEY EBERE 

A woman, Kehinde Okunade, has lost a whopping sum of over N4.5m in Lagos State while desiring to have the money doubled in Dollars as offered to her by local fraudsters popularly known as ‘money doublers’. 

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened at Jebba area of Ebute-Metta, Lagos, where she was accosted by the gang.

One of the suspects, 30-year old Olaitan Olalekan, has been arrested and charged for the alleged conspiracy and fraud.

According to the Police, the suspect, Olalekan and others now at large had on 11th August, 2024, obtained the money under the false pretence of giving her some Dollars, which will be the double of her money.

However, after she parted with her money,  the suspect and his group disappeared and did not give her the Dollars nor return her money and then disconnected every communication she had with them.

Having realized that she had been duped, she reported the matter to the Commissioner of Police Special Squad at the State Command, Ikeja. The operatives moved into action, eventually arrested Olalekan and detained him at the Command for interrogation over their alleged conduct.

During interrogation, he admitted to have collected the money from her to give her some Dollars. He informed the Police that there was no Dollars to give her and they have shared her money among members of the gang.

The Police found him culpable and charged before the Ogba Magistrate Court for conspiracy, obtaining under false pretence and stealing.

The charges read :

That you, Olaitan Olalekan ‘m’ and others now at large, on the 11th day of August, 2024 at about 1417hrs, at Jebba Ebute-Metta area of Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did conspire amongst yourselves to commit felony to wit: Obtaining money under false pretence, stealing and thereby committed an offence Punishable under Section 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”

COUNT II: That you, Olaltan Olalekan ‘m’ and others still at large, on the same date, time and place, in the aforesaid Magisterial District, did steal the sum of Four million, five hundred and seventy-eight thousand Naira (N4,578,000.00), property of one Kehinde Okunade ‘f and thereby committed an offence Contrary to Section 280 and Punishable under Section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”

OUNT III: That you, Olaitan Olalekan ‘m’ and others still at large, on the same date. time and place, in the aforesaid Magisterial District, did obtain the sum of Four million, five hundred and seventy-eight thousand Naira (N4,578,000.00) from one Okunade Kehinde ‘f’ under the pretence of giving her some US Dollars and thereby committed an offence Contrary to and Punishable under Section 314(1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”

He pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Supol Akeem Raji, asked the Court to give a date for hearing since he pleaded not guilty to enable the Police to prove that he actually committed the alleged offence.

The Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. B.O. Osunsanmi, granted him 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 was remanded in custody at the correctional center at Kirikiri town, pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.