Man, 36, Docked For Swindling Fair Money Company Of N3.3m Under False Pretence

MICHAEL AKINOLA 

A 36-year-old man, Ologuntere Tope, has been arrested and charged in Lagos State for allegedly swindling Fair Money to the tune of the sum of N3.3m under the false pretence of purchasing a tricycle and bolting away with the money.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened on 14th of January, 2025, at Shotunde Street, U-turn, Abule Egba, Lagos.

The suspect was said to have gone to the representative, Falade Oluladun and obtained the loan under false pretense of using same to purchase one TVC tricycle and to refund the money within a period of 24 months.

However, after collecting the loan, the suspect bolted away and refused to refund the money at the stipulated date as they had agreed. Rather, he went into hiding and disconnected every communication he had with the company.

The matter was reported to the Police at Oko Oba Division. The Police operatives moved into action, eventually arrested and detained the suspect at the station for interrogation over his alleged conduct.

After thorough interrogation,  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, Ologuntere Tope, on the 14th of January, 2025, at about 10: 00 hours at No. 7 Shotunde Street, U-turn Abule Egba, lagos State, in the Ikeja Magisterial district, did conduct yourself in a manner to cause breach of peace by taking online loan from Fair Money to the tune of the sum of N3,300,000:00 (three million three hundred thousand Naira only) with one Falade Oluladun “F” Of No 7 Shotunde Street, U-Turn Abule Egba Lagos State and refused to refund the money and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 174 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.”

COUNT II:”That you, Ologuntere Tope, on the same date, time and place, within the aforementioned Magisterial District, did obtain the sum of N3,300,000:00 (three million three hundred thousand Naira only) from Fair Money, an online loan with Falade Oluladun “F” Of No 7 Shotunde Street, U-Turn Abule Egba Lagos State, under the false pretense to purchase one TVC Tricycle and to refund the money within a period of 24 months but you refused to refund the money at the stipulated date and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.”

However, he pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Supol Josephine Ihkayere, 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, Mr. L.A. Owolabi, 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.