Man, 33, Docked For Faking Sickness To Obtain N21m From Good Samaritan

MICHAEL AKINOLA

A 33-year old man, Philip Duru, has landed in trouble in Lagos State for allegedly faking sickness and using it to obtain the sum of N21m from a good Samaritan, Ebenezer Chukwuemerie and it was later discovered to be a scam.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the suspect,  Duru, has been arrested and charged for the alleged fraud under the Criminal law of the State.

The incident happened at Ago Palace Way, Okota area of Lagos.

According to the Police, the suspect and others now at large conspired and informed the complainant that the suspect was diagnosed with heart disease, which needed urgent attention and treatment.

The complainant showed compassion and gave him the money for the treatment, only to discover later that the suspect had no heart disease and did not embark on any treatment both in Nigeria and abroad.

The complainant felt betrayed and demanded for the refund of his money but the suspect refused and asked him to forget about the money since he had given it out.

The matter was reported to the Police at SCID Yaba for investigation. The suspect was then arrested and detained at the Command for interrogation over his alleged conduct.

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

The charges read:

“That you, PHILIP DURU ‘M’ And others at large sometime December 2023 at Ago Place Way, Okota Area of Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did conspire to commit felony to wit obtaining money by false thereby committed offence under Section 411 of the criminal law of Lagos State 2015″.

COUNT 11:”That you, PHILIP DURU ‘M’ and one other at large on the same and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did obtain Twenty One Million Naira (N21,000,000.00) from one EBENEZER CHUKWUEMERIE ‘M’ under the pretence that you have heart disease, which you know to be false and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 141 (A) of the criminal law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”

However, he pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Supol Charles Akinrosove, 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. E. Kubenije, 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 pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.