Man, 33, Arraigned For Obtaining N7.5m Under False Pretence

MICHAEL AKINOLA 

A 33-year old man, Ige Emmanuel  Abidekun, has been arrested and charged in Lagos State for allegedly swindling a man, Dele Iyanalu, to the tune of over N7.5m under the false pretence of investing same into an apartment business.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened between 2022/2023 at  Carınan Estate, Sangotiedo by DKK Supermarket Bus Stop, Ajah, Lagos.

According to the Police, the suspect approached the complainant and asked him to bring the money to invest in property business.

However, trouble started after the complainant gave him the money and he absconded. He did not invest the money in any property as he promised rather he disconnected every communication he had with the complainant.

The matter was reported to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba, Lagos. The operatives moved into action, arrested the suspect and detained him at the Command for interrogation over his alleged conduct.

After thorough interrogation,  the Police found him culpable and charged him before the Ebute Metta Magistrate Court for the alleged offence, which attracts several years of imprisonment.

The charges read:

“That you, Ige Emmanuel Abidekun and Osaro Oyeka  now at large, sometimes in the year 2022 and 2023 at 2022/2023 at  Carınan Estate, Sangotiedo by DKK Supermarket Bus Stop, Ajah, Lagos, did obtain N7,595,300.00 from Dele Iyanalu under the false  pretence of investing same into Apartment Business, a representation you know to be false and conspired amongst yourselves to commit felony to wit: stealing and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 411 of the Criminal Law Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”

COUNT II: “That you , Ige Emmanuel Abidekun and Osaro Oyeka  now at large sometimes in the year 2022/2023 at  Carınan Estate, Sangotiedo by DKK Supermarket Bus Stop, Ajah, Lagos in the Lagos State Magisterial District did in false pretence and with intent to defraud, obtain the pum of Seven Million Five Hundred and Ninety Five Thousand Three Hundred Naira (N7,595,300.00) from one DELE IYANALU ‘M’ in pretence of Investing same into Apartment Business, a representation you knew to be false but was made to be acted upon and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 314 (1) (a) (b) and (2) of the Criminal Law Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”

COUNT III: “That you, Ige Emmanuel Abidekun and Osaro Oyeka  now at large, sometimes in the year 2022/2023 at No. 33, Cannan Estate, Sangotede by DKK Supermarket Bus Stop, Ajah, Lagos in the Lagos State Magisterial District, did fraudulently convert the sum of Seven Million Five Hundred and Ninety Five Thousand Three Hundred Naira (N7,595,300.00) used for the renovation of a 4-Storey Building, located at No. 33, Cannan Estate, Sangotedo by DKK Supermarket Bus Stop, Ajah, Lagos, to your personal used, property of one Dele Iyanalu  and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 287 of the Criminal Law Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”

However,  he pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Supol Olatunde Kehinde, 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 Chief Magistrate, Mrs. F.M.Kayode-Alamu, 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 pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.