KINGSLEY EBERE
A 31-year old man, Ijasanmi Baji Sunday, has been arrested and charged in Lagos State for allegedly swindling a lady, Grace Okwumabua, of the sum of N7m under false pretence.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened on 24th October, 2024, at Babayanju Street, Mafoluku Oshodi, Lagos.
According to the Police, the suspect contacted the complainant and informed her that he had two RX350 Lexus SUVs, which he wanted to sell and gave her the vehicles at cheaper prices. The complainant believed him and paid the money.
The real market price of the said SUVs was said to be in the range of N30m but he reduced the price to trap the complainant and it worked perfectly. He was said to have collected the money, promised to deliver the vehicles and that was the last time the complainant saw him before his recent arrest.
The suspect collected the money, bolted away and disconnected every communication he had with the complainant and did not supply the vehicles either.
The matter was reported to the Police at Commissioner of Police Special Squad in Ikeja, Lagos. The operatives moved into action, eventually arrested and detained the suspect at the Command for interrogation over his alleged conduct.
While being interrogated, the suspect admitted to have collected the money, claimed that he had spent it and had no money to refund her either.
The Police found him culpable and charged him before the Ogba Magistrate Court for the alleged offence which attracts several years of imprisonment.
The charges read:
“That you, Ijasanmi Baji Sunday ‘m’ and others now at large, on the 24 day of October. 2024 at about 1230hrs, at Babayanju Street, Mafoluku Oshodi Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did conspire amongst yourselves to commit felony to wit: Obtaining money by false pretence, stealing and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.”
COUNT II:”That you, Ijasanmi Baji Sunday, m’ and others now at large, on the same date, time and place, in the aforesaid Magisterial District, did with intent to defraud, obtain the sum of Seven million Naira (N7,000,000.00) from one Grace Okwumabua under the pretence to sell two RX350 Lexus SUVs to her which you did not do, knowing same to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 313 and punishable under Section 314(1)(a) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.”
COUNT III: “That you, Ijasanmi Bajı Sunday ‘m’ and others now at large, on the same date, time and place, in the aforesaid Magisterial District, did steal the sum of Seven million Naira (N7,000,000.00) property of one Grace Okwumabua ‘f’ and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 280 and punishable under Section 287 or te Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”
However, he pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Supol Phillip Ademigbuji, then 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.