CYRIACUS IZUEKWE
A 49-year-old man, Vincent Ekpuyong, was on Wednesday arraigned before a Lagos Magistrate Court sitting in Ejigbo over allegations of obtaining N3.3 million under false pretence and stealing in Egbeda area of the state.
The defendant, whose address was not provided in court, was brought before Magistrate Miss F. R. Ogunkoyede on a two-count charge of fraud and stealing contrary to the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
According to the charge sheet marked Charge No: 250536, the Commissioner of Police alleged that Ekpuyong committed the offences on April 21, 2026 at No. 8/10, Aderamoye Street, Egbeda, within the Lagos Magisterial District.
Count one stated that the defendant allegedly obtained the sum of Three Million, Three Hundred Thousand Naira (N3,300,000) under false pretence from one Uzouh Emmanuel by claiming he could lease a three-bedroom apartment to him.
The prosecution told the court that Ekpuyong allegedly knew he had no right, authority, or link to the owner of the said apartment when he collected the money from the complainant.
The offence, the Police said, is punishable under Section 314(b) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015, which deals with obtaining money by false pretence.
In count two, the Commissioner of Police alleged that on the same date, time and place, the defendant stole the sum of N3,300,000, property of Uzouh Emmanuel.
The prosecution said the act contravenes Section 280 and is punishable under Section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 which prescribes punishment for stealing.
However, when the charges were read to him, Ekpuyong pleaded “not guilty” to both counts before the court.
The prosecutor, Inspector Simeon Njue, asked the Court to give a date for hearing to enable the Police to provide evidence.
The plea was recorded by the court as the defendant denied the allegations contained in the charge sheet.
CSP Adeleke Ojajuni of the Nigeria Police Force, Divisional Police Headquarters, Shasha-Lagos, presented the case before the court on behalf of the Commissioner of Police.
The Presiding Magistrate, Miss Ogunkoyede, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N1,000,000 with sureties in like sum, according to court records sighted by http://pmexpressng.com. The Court ordered the sureties to provide evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment.
The case was adjourned to June 19, 2026 for further hearing. The investigating officer on the charge sheet was listed as ASP Olugbenga Rebecca of Shasha Division.
The defendant was remanded in custody at the Correctional Center at Kirikiri town, Lagos, pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.
Section 314(b) of the Lagos State Criminal Law makes it an offence for any person to obtain property, money, or credit by false pretence with intent to defraud.
If convicted, offenders under this section risk imprisonment as prescribed by the court, depending on the amount involved and circumstances of the case.
Section 287 provides punishment for stealing under Lagos State law. The court determines sentence based on evidence presented during trial and the value of property stolen.
Legal experts say the prosecution must prove that the defendant intentionally deceived the complainant and had no intention of providing the apartment.
The court will determine the guilt or innocence of the defendant based on facts and evidence presented during the trial process.
The case highlights ongoing warnings by the Lagos State Police Command to residents to verify property ownership and agent authorization before making payments for rent or lease agreements.
Under Nigerian law, every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction. Ekpuyong remains innocent of the charges until the court decides otherwise.