Man, 30, Arraigned For Swindling Victim Of N11m Under False Pretence 

KINGSLEY EBERE 

A 30-year old man, Akinlabi Samuel Ridwan, has been arrested and detained in Lagos State for allegedly swindling a man, Azubuike Goerge Ejike, under false pretence. 

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened on 6th January, 2026, at Amuwo Odofin Estate, FESTAC town, Lagos.

According to the Police, the suspect collected the money for undisclosed purposes, bolted away and disconnected every communication he had with the complainant.

The matter was reported to the Police operatives at the Tactical team of the State Command. They moved into action, eventually arrested and detained the suspect at the Okokomaiko station for interrogation over his alleged conduct.

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

The charges read:

“That you, Akinlabi Samuel Ridwan’M’ and other at large on the 6th January, 2025 at about 1500hrs at Amuwo Odofin Estate, FESTAC town, Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial district, did conspire amongst yourselves to commit felony to wit obtaining money under false pretence and stealing and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 411 & 412 respectively of Criminal law of Lagos State Nigeria 2015,”

II.” That you, Akinlabi Samuel Ridwan ‘m’ and other at large on the same date time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial district, did fraudulently obtain money under false pretence and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 314 (3) of Lagos State, Nigeria 2015.”

III. “That you, Akinlabi Samuel Ridwan ‘m’ and other at large on the same date time and place in the aforementioned magisterial district ,did steal cash sum of Eleven Million Naira Only (N11,000,000.00) property of one Azubuike Goerge Ejike ‘M’ and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 287 of the criminal law of Lagos State Nigeria 2015.”

However, he pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Supol Esther Adesulu, 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, Mr. L.K.J Layeni, granted him bail in the sum of N500,000 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 till 9th March, 2026, 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.