Man, 32, Docked For Swindling Victim Of N10m Under False Pretence

KINGSLEY EBERE 

A 32-year old man, Chidiebere Igwe, has been arrested and charged in Lagos State for allegedly swindling a victim, Michael Friday, to the sum of N10m under the false pretence of clearing goods at Apapa wharf but it turned out to be a scam. 

 

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened sometime in November, 2024 at Lopan Company, Alausa, Lagos.

 

While the company was waiting for the suspect to clear the goods, unknown to them, he had escaped with the money and the goods incurred demurrage before the complainant realized that he had bolted away with the money.

 

The matter was reported to the Police at Alausa Division. The suspect was later arrested and detained at the station for interrogation over his alleged conduct against the complainant.

 

The Police found him culpable after thorough interrogation and charged him before the Ogba Magistrate Court for the alleged offence which attracts several years of imprisonment.

 

The charges read:

“That you, Chidiebere Igwe ‘M’, sometime in November, 2024 at Lopan Company, Alausa Lagos State, in the Ikeja Magisterial District, did obtain the sum of Ten Million Four Six Thousand Naira N10,046,000:00k, from one Michael Friday ‘M’ under the pretense of clearing goods from Tincan Island, Apapa, knowing fully you have nothing to clear and thereby committed an offence and punishable under Section 314(1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”

 

COUNT II:”That you, Chidiebere Igwe ‘M’, on the same Date, Time and Place in the aforesaid Magisterial District, did obtain the sum Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira N250,000:00k from one Michael Friday ‘M’ under the pretense to buying a Generator and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 314(1)(B) of the Criminal Law of Lagor State of Nigeria 2015.”

 

COUNT III:”That you, Chidiebere Igwe ‘M’, on the same Date. Time and Place in the aforesaid Magisterial District, did steal Ten Million Three Hundred Fourteen Thousand Naira N10.314,000:00k, property of one Michael Friday ‘M’ one and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 283 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”

 

COUNT IV:”That you, Chidiebere Igwe ‘M’, on the same Date. Time and Place in the aforesaid Magisterial District, did conduct yourselves in a manner to cause breach of peace and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 168 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.”

 

He pleaded not guilty.

 

The prosecutor, Supol Philip 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.