Woman, Who Disappeared With Association’s N20m, Duped Too

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE

Traders and members of Articles Market Association are counting their losses after one of their members allegedly disappeared with their N20 million entrusted to her in their market.

The incident happened at the market located along Badagry Expressway opposite Trade Fair Complex in Lagos.

P.M.EXPRESS gathered that while she defrauded the members and ran away, she too was also recently duped by suspected fraudsters as if it was nemesis.

The suspect,  a 45-year old Precious Ofili has been arrested and charged before a Lagos court for fraud and was remanded in prison custody.

P.M.EXPRESS gathered that the mother of four was entrusted with the association’s money for safe keeping through one Juliet Okoli.

It was gathered that after Precious obtained the money, she disappeared from the market and nobody knew her whereabout for several months.

The matter was reported to the police at Trade Fair Division who trailed Precious for several months before she was arrested in her hide out.

At the station, she reportedly admitted that she collected the money but she was equally duped by fraudsters.

She was charged before Apapa Magistrates court for the alleged offence and she pleaded not guilty.

P.M.EXPRESS gathered the scam has thrown the market into crises as some traders are pointing accusing fingers at the leaders of conspiring with the suspect to defraud them.

When our correspondent visited the market, he was told that the scam has brought suspicion amongst the traders and there was no trust in the market.

One of the traders told P.M.EXPRESS that some of the leaders have been forced to re-locate elsewhere because of the threat from the traders.