MICHAEL AKINOLA
Police operatives from the Force Criminal Investigations Department, Alagbon Annex in Lagos State, have arrested a 31-year old lady, Chinemerem Vivian Okorie, for allegedly swindling a man, Madubuogha Ebuka, to the tune of N61m under false pretence.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that she has been charged for the alleged conspiracy, obtaining under false pretence and stealing.
According to the Police, the lady had in 2024 in Lagos conspired with others now at large and obtained the money under false pretence, which the Police did not specify in the charge sheet before the Court.
Having obtained the money, she went into hiding and disconnected every communication she had with the complainant. The matter was reported to the Police and the operatives moved into action, eventually arrested and detained her at the Command for interrogation.
After interrogation, the Police found her culpable and consequently charged her before the Ebute Metta Magistrate Court for the alleged offence, which attracts several years of imprisonment.
The charges read:
COUNT I: That you, Chinemerem Vivian Okorie ‘F’ and others now at large sometime in 2024, in Lagos within the Lagos Magisterial District, did conspire amongst yourselves to commit felony to with Obtaining Money by False Pretense and Stealing and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 411 of the criminal law of Lagos State 2015.”
COUNT II:” That you, Chinemerem Vivian Okorie ‘F’ and others now at large, on the same date, time and place, and in the aforementioned Magisterial district, did obtain the sum of Sixty One Million Naira (#61,000,000:00k) from one Madubuogha Ebuka and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 315 of the criminal law of Lagos state 2015.”
COUNT III:”That you, Chinemerem Vivian Okorie ‘F’ and others now at large, on the same date, time and place, and in the aforementioned Magisterial district, did steal the sum of Sixty One Million Naira (N61,000,000:00k) from one Madubuogha Ebuka ‘M’ and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.”
However, she pleaded not guilty when she was arraigned.
The prosecutor, S.O. Ayodele ESQ, then asked the Court to give a date for hearing since he pleaded not guilty to enable the Police to prove that she actually committed the alleged offence.
The Presiding Magistrate, Adedayo Tella, granted her bail with two sureties, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment while addresses will be verified by the Court.
The matter was adjourned for mention while the defendant was remanded in custody at the correctional center pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.