KINGSLEY EBERE
A 36-year-old man, Tanimola Augustine, has been arrested and charged in Lagos State for allegedly swindling another man to the tune of N14.2m by selling a Toyota Camry car at the Terminal.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened at Clarion Terminal, Alakija area of Lagos, where the suspect falsely claimed to be the owner of the Toyota Camry car and sold it to one Ndubusi Okafor, which turned out to be a scam.
When the buyer, Ndubuisi Okafor, wanted to carry the Toyota Camry, he discovered that the vehicle belonged to another person and the seller, Augustine, only used it to swindle him. He was accused of buying a stolen vehicle and was forced to pay additional money N7m yet he was unable to take possession of the Toyota Camry in question.
The matter was reported to the Police at SCID, Yaba. The operatives moved into action, eventually arrested and detained him for interrogation over his alleged conduct.
During interrogation, he admitted that the vehicle in question does not belong to him and as well admitted to have collected the money, which he claimed to have spent and had no other money to refund the buyer.
The Police found him culpable and charged him before the Yaba Magistrate Court for the alleged offence.
Part of the charges read:
“That you, Tanimola Augustine ‘m’ and others at large sometimes in March 2024 at Clarion Terminal, Alakija Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did conspire with others to commit felony to wit stealing, cheating, obtaining money by false pretence and conduct Likely to cause breach of peace and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 411 of the criminal laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”
COUNT II:” That you, Tanimola Augustine ‘m’ and others at large on same date, time and place, in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did fraudulently trick one Ndubusi Okafor and obtained the sum of N14,200,000: from him under the pretence that you were the owner of the Toyota Camry you sold to him, the representation that you know is not true, and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 323 (1) of the criminal code, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2025.”
COUNT III:”That you, Tanimola Augustine and others at large on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did obtain the sum of N7,200,000: (Seven Million Two Hundred Thousand Naira) from Ndubusi Okafor on the pretence of selling Toyota Camry to him, which you conspired with others to claim the said car under the pretence that he bought a stolen car and collected another cash of N7,000,000: (Seven Million Naira) from him altogether N14,200,000: (Fourteen Million Two Hundred Thousand Naira) and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 314 of the criminal code Law of Lagos State of Nigeria.”
He pleaded not guilty when he was arraigned.
The prosecutor, Supol Thomas Nurudeen, 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. P.E. Nwaka, 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.