Dredger Lands In Trouble Over Alleged N14. 8m Fraud

BY PAUL IYOGHOJIE

A dredger,  Jones Adeyemi Malumi, 51, has been arrested by operatives of the Nigeria Police Zone 2 Command, Lagos and charged before a Magistrate’s Court for allegedly converting the sum of N14.8 million entrusted in his care for dredging to himself and allegedly failed to use the money for the dredging.

Police alleged that the complainant, Abdulwahab Abubakar contracted the defendant for dredging work at Ibeju-lekki area of Lagos and allegedly paid him N14.8 million to execute the project but that the defendant allegedly absconded with the money and failed to execute the project.

When the complainant could not found him and his phones were no longer going through, he petitioned the Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG Adegoke Fayoade in charge of Zone 2 Command who directed his men to fish the defendant out.

After investigation by Inspector Mathew Agbonta and his team, the defendant was charged before the Igbosere Magistrate’s Court sitting at the Tinubu Magistrate’s Court, Lagos Island on a three count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence, conversion and stealing.

Police prosecuting Counsel, DSP Francis Igbinosa informed the court in the charged B/39/2025 at Ibeju-lekki, Lagos.

He said the offences, the defendant committed were contrary to and punishable under sections 280, 314 and 280(1)(b) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The defendant, a resident of Iba Estate, Ojo, Lagos however pleaded not guilty to the charges and Chief Magistrate, Olumide Fusika granted him N2 million bail with two surties in like sum, one of which must deposit the sum of N2 million with the Court Registrar.