KINGSLEY EBERE
A 28-year old man, Desmond Ovuozor, has been arrested and charged in Lagos State for allegedly swindling a married woman, Mrs. Osuji Onyedikanne, to the tune of the sum of N10.5m under false pretence.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened on 7th February, 2024, at Surulere area of Lagos.
According to the Police, the suspect and others now at large conspired and obtained the money from the victim under the false pretence of registering her in Sports Management abroad.
However, after she paid the money, the suspect bolted away and disconnected every communication he had with the victim and equally failed to register her in the Sports Management abroad as promised.
When the victim was unable to locate him, she reported the alleged fraud to the Police at State Investigation Department (SID) Ikeja, Lagos. The operatives moved into action, later arrested the suspect and detained him at the Command for interrogation over his alleged conduct.
During interrogation, the suspect admitted to have collected the money, had spent it with others now at large and had no money to refund her.
The Police found him culpable and consequently charged him before the Ogba Magistrate Court for the alleged offence, which attracts several years of imprisonment.
He pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Inspector Ajayi Emmanuel, 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. A.A. Adetunji, granted him 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 at Kirikiri town, Lagos, pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.