KINGSLEY EBERE
A 31-year old man, Orji Ekene Kingsley, has been arrested and charged in Lagos State for allegedly swindling the owner of Danlan Mining Company, Rafiu Azeez, to the tune of N50m under false pretence.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened on 28th September, 2025, at Gbagada area of Lagos.
According to the Police, the suspect, Kingsley, obtained the money under the false pretence of sourcing for zinc stones and supply same to the company, which turned out to be a scam.
After collecting the money, the suspect bolted away, disconnected every communication he had with the complainant and went into hiding.
The matter was reported to the Police at the State Command. 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 as he had spent the money and did not supply the items as they had agreed. He was subsequently charged before the Ogba Magistrate Court for the alleged offence which attracts several years of imprisonment.
The charges read:
COUNT I: “That you, Orji Ekene Kingsley ‘m’ on or before 28th September 2025 at about 1200hrs at Gbagada, Lagos in the Lagos Magisterial District, with intent to defraud, did fraudulently obtain the colossal sum of Fifty Million Naira (N50,000,000.00) from Mr. Rafiu Azeez of Danlan Mining Company through United Bank for Africa account number 1024843325, titled Orji Ekene Kingsley, under the pretence of using the above stated amount to source for zinc stones and supply same to the company of which you never did, a representation you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 314 (1)(a)(b) and punishable under Section 314 (3) of the criminal law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”
COUNT II:”That you, Orji Ekene Kingsley, ‘m’ on the same date, time and place in the aforesaid Magisterial District, did dishonestly steal the sum of Fifty Million Naira (N50,000,000.00), property of one Mr. Rafiu Azeez of Danlan Mining Company and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 280 (1)(a)(b) and punishable under Section 287 of the criminal law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”
However, he pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Supol Philip 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.