MICHAEL AKINOLA
A 27-year old man, Haruna Ibrahim, has been arrested and charged in Lagos State for allegedly swindling a man, Sulaimon Sanni, to the tune of N19m under false pretence inside the market.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened on 10th July, 2024 at Kara Market, Berger area of Lagos.
According to the Police, the suspect collected the money in question from the complainant under the false pretence of buying and nurturing 23 cows, 15 rams and 6 sheep on his behalf and the victim paid the money to him.
However, after he collected the money, he bolted away and disconnected every communication they had. He did not buy or nurture any animal and did not refund the money either
The matter was reported to the Commissioner of Police Special Squad at Ikeja, Lagos. The Police operatives moved into action, eventually arrested and detained the suspect at the Command for interrogation over his alleged conduct.
After thorough interrogation, the Police found him culpable and consequently charged him before the Ogba Magistrate Court for the alleged offence which attracts several years of imprisonment.
The charges read :
“That you, Haruna Ibrahim ‘m’ and others at large, on the 10th July, 2024, at about 1620hrs at Kara Market, Berger Lagos, in the Lagos magisterial district, did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit stealing and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 411 of the criminal law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”
COUNT II:”That you, Haruna Ibrahim ‘m’ on the same date, time and place, in the aforesaid Magisterial District, did obtain the sum of N12,245,000.00 (Twelve Million Two Hundred and Forty Five Thousand Naira) only, property of one Sulaimon Sanni of No.8, Falolu Street, Surulere, Lagos, under the pretense of nurturing 23 Cows, 15 Rams and 6 Sheep on his behalf, a representation you know to be false and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 314 of the criminal law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”
COUNT III:”That you, Haruna Ibrahim ‘m’ on the same date, time and pace, in the aforesaid Magisterial District, did dishonestly steal the sum of N7,000,000.00 (Seven Million Naira) only that was paid into a Zenith Bank account number: 0213614796, titled Haruna Ibrahim and subsequently diverted the above stated amount into your personal use, property of one Sulaimon Sanni ‘m’ and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 280 (b) and punishable under Section 287 of the criminal law of Lagos State 2015.”
However, he pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Supol Phillip Ademigbuji, asked the Court to give 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. Kusanu, granted him 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 at Kirikiri town, Lagos, pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.