Man, 32, Docked For Swindling Client N7.4m Over Sale Of Lexus SUV

KINGSLEY EBERE 

A 32-year old man, Darlington Nwankwo John, has been arrested and charged in Lagos State for allegedly swindling a client, Umusor Godson, to the tune of the sum of over N7.4m under the false pretence of selling Lexus SUV, which turned out to be a scam.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened in July, 2024 at Ejigbo area of Lagos.

It was said that after the victim paid the money,  he absconded, did not supply any vehicle and disconnected every communication he had with the complainant before he went into hiding.

The matter was reported to the Police at Ejigbo Division and the Police moved into action. They eventually arrested the suspect and detained him at the station for interrogation over his alleged conduct.

During interrogation, the suspect admitted to have collected the money and claimed that he had used the money to solve his personal problems as such he had no money to refund the victim.

The Police found him culpable and consequently charged him before the Ejigbo Magistrate Court for the alleged offence under the Criminal Laws of the State.

The charges read:

“That you, Darlington Nwankwo John ‘m’, on the 4th day of July, 2024 at about 1230hrs, at Ejigbo, Lagos State, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did obtain the sum of Seven Million Four Hundred Thousand Naira (47,400,000) from one Umusor Godson ‘m’ with the pretence of selling one Lexus RX 350, 2009 model to him and knowing same representation to be false and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 314 (1) of the Criminal law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”

Count II: That you, Darlington Nwankwo John, on the same date, time and place, in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did fraudulently convert the sum of Seven Million Four Hundred Thousand Naira (N7,400,000) to your own use, belonging to one Umusor Godson ‘m’ and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 287 of the criminal law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”

He pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Inspector Simeon Njue, then 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. A.K. Dosumu-Uthman, granted him bail in the sum of N1m with two sureties in like sum, 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, Lagos, pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.