KINGSLEY EBERE
A 35-year old lady, Arike Adebayo, has been arrested and charged in Lagos State for allegedly swindling a woman, Bukola Kola of N10.6m under the pretence of processing Ireland visa for 25 clients provided by her and it turned out to be scam.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened sometime in 2024 at Foundation Bus-Stop, Ajangbadi, Ojo area of Lagos.
According to the Police, the suspect informed the complainant that she had the contact to procure the visas, she believed and paid her the money in question.
However, after she collected the money, she bolted away and did not procure the visas as they agreed and did not return the money to the complainant.
The matter was reported to the Police at Ilembe Hausa Division. Police operatives trailed, eventually arrested and detained the suspect for interrogation over her alleged conduct.
After interrogation, the Police found her culpable and charged her before the Ojo Magistrate Court for the alleged offence, which attracts several years of imprisonment.
The charges read:
“That you, Arike Adebayo and one other at large sometime in the year 2024 at Foundation Bus-stop, Ajangbadi, Ojo Lagos State, in the Ojo Magisterial District, did conspire amongst yourselves to commit felony to wit obtaining money by false pretence and stealing and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 411 of the criminal laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”
COUNT 2:”That you, Arike Adebayo and one other at Large on the same date time, and place, in the aforementioned Magisterial Distinct, did fraudulently obtain the sum of Ten Million Six Hundred Thousand Naira (N10,600,000.00) only through your GTB Account No 0596820993 from one Bukola Kola ‘F’ under the pretence of processing Ireland visa for 25 clients provided by her, knowing same to be faise and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section -314 (1)(a) (b) (2) of the criminal laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015″
COUNT 3: “That you, Arike Adebayo and one other at large on the same date, time, and place, in the aforementioned Magistenial District, did steal the sum of Ten Million Six Hundred Thousand Naira (N-10 600 000:00) only, being the moniy given to you by ohe Bukola Kola ‘F’ for the processing of Ireland Visas for 25 clients provided by her and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 287 of the criminal laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”
She pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Inspector Esther Adesulu, then asked the Court to give a date for hearing since she pleaded not guilty to enable the Police to prove that she actually committed the alleged offence.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. O.M. Ogun, granted her bail in the sum of N1m with two sureties in like sum, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment while addresses will be verified by the Court.
The matter was adjourned till 20th June, 2025, for mention while the defendant was remanded in custody at the correctional center pending when she will perfect her bail conditions.