MICHAEL AKINOLA
A 35-year old lady, Arike Adebayo, has been arrested and charged in Lagos State for allegedly swindling a female travel agent, Bukola Kola, to the tune of N10m under the false pretence of procuring visas for her 25 clients but it turned out to be a scam.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened in 2024 at Foundation Bus-Stop, Ajangbadi, Ojo area of Lagos.
According to the Police, the suspect contacted the complainant and informed her that she had the connection to procure Ireland visa for 25 clients. The complainant believed her and paid the money through her bank account.
However, after the suspect collected the money, she bolted away and disconnected every communication she had with the complainant. The complainant also landed in trouble as her clients were after her in order to collect their money.
The matter was reported to the Police at Ojo Division. The Police operatives moved into action, eventually arrested the suspect and detained at the station for interrogation over the alleged offence.
The Police found her culpable after interrogation and consequently charged her before the Ojo Magistrate Court for the alleged offence which attracts several years of imprisonment.
The charges read:
“That you, Arike Adebayo, F’ 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, F’ and one other at Large on the same date, time, and place in the aforementioned magisterial District, did fraudulently obtain the sum of Ten Million, Six Hundred The sand 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 false 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 F’ and one other at large, on the same date, time, and place in the aforementioned Magisternal District, did steal the sum of Ten Million Six Hundred Thousand Naira (N10, 600, 000:00) only, being the money given to you by one 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.”
However, 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 for mention while the defendant was remanded in custody at the correctional center pending when she will perfect her bail conditions.