MICHAEL AKINOLA
A fake Medical Doctor, Oduh Joseph, has been arrested in Lagos State and charged before the Court for impersonating as Medical Doctor and defrauding a woman, Stella Echiejili, under the false pretence of taking her to USA for medical treatment and getting a resident permit.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened in Agege area of Lagos, where the 47-year old Joseph met the victim.
He is now facing two-count charges of impersonation, fraud and stealing.
According to the Police, the defendant accosted the victim, Stella and told her that he was a Medical Doctor and would assist her for medical treatment abroad, precisely in USA.
He asked her to part with the money, which will cover the processing of visa, green card, vehicle and medical treatment. She believed and gave him the money to facilitate the processes.
However, after he obtained the money, he bolted away and disconnected every communication he had with the victim while the victim was waiting on him to provide all the documents as he had promised.
After waiting in vain and unable to reach him, having, the victim reported the matter to the Police. The Police operatives then moved into action, eventually arrested Joseph and detained him for interrogation over his conduct.
After thorough interrogation, the Police found him culpable and asked him to refund the money. He told the Police that he had exhausted the money trying to sort out his personal challenges.
The Police found him culpable and subsequently charged him before the Ogba Magistrates Court for the alleged offence.
He pleaded not guilty when he was arraigned.
The prosecutor, Inspector Lucky Ihiehie, moved a motion before the Court asking for 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, Mrs. O.A. Layinka, granted him bail in the sum of N5m with two sureties in like sum, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment.
He was remanded in custody at the Correctional Centre at Kirikiri town, Lagos, pending when he will perfect his bail conditions while the matter was adjourned till 7th March, 2023, for mention.