MICHAEL AKINOLA
A 43 Islamic cleric, Hafeez Imoleayo, alongside his wife, Mushirafat Salaam, 59 and native doctor, Saidi Ajayi, 42; and one Uthman Rahmon 27, have been remanded in custody for allegedly conspiring to swindle US-based Nigerian, Oluwasegun Animas Haun, to the tune of N127m under false pretence in Lagos State.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the suspects were arraigned before an Ebute-Metta Chief Magistrate Court over on 11 counts of conspiracy, compelling action by intimidation, unlawful possession of charm, stealing, threatening to kill, obtaining money by false pretence, involuntary manslaughter, perjury and conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace and others.
The Police at Zone 2 Command, Onikan, Lagos, had earlier paraded the defendants before they were arraigned in Court after the conclusion of investigations.
The prosecutor, Inspector Olatunde Kehinde, told the Court that the incident happened between 2010 and 2022, at Number 3, Olabode Agboola Close, off Erunwen Junction, Ikorodu area of Lagos.
Inspector Kehinde told the Court that the first and second defendants and others now at large conspired unlawfully with gross negligence and disregard for human life and failed to protect one Moridiyyat Okeowo, which resulted in her untimely death.
The prosecutor told the Court that the first defendant and his wife, who is second defendant, Mrs Salaam at the same time obtained $9,000 from the complainant, Animashaun, under the pretence of helping him to buy land at Ikorodu and 10 acres of land, which was false.
Kehinde also alleged that the third defendant, Ajayi, obtained a 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer SUV valued at N5.6m from Animashaun with the pretence of helping him to sell it.
The prosecutor told the Magistrate, Mrs Kafayat Tella, that the fourth defendant, Rahmon, obtained $11, 573 from the complainant with the pretence of helping him to buy land at Ikorodu, a representation he knew was false.
According to the prosecutor, the total amount involved was N127.6m, property of the complainant, Animashaun.
Kehinde said the offences committed contravened Sections 411, 224 (1) (2), 314, 287, 86, 237, 133 (b), and 168 (1) (d) (f) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.
However, the defendants pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor did not oppose their being granted bail but asked the Court to give a date for hearing since they pleaded not guilty to enable the Police to prove that they actually committed the alleged offence.
The Presiding Magistrate, Tella, granted them bail in the sum of N4m each with two sureties each in like sum, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment.
The matter was adjourned till 10th October, 2023, for mention while the defendants were remanded in custody at the Correctional Centre pending when they will perfect their bail conditions.