A 37-year old man, Donatus Elom Ayim, has been arrested and charged in Lagos State for allegedly swindling Klub Vanity Limited to the tune of N17.2m over the rent of an apartment which turned out to be a scam.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the suspect, Ayim, was arraigned before the Ogba Magistrate Court facing charges for fraud and stealing over his alleged conduct.
The Police alleged the defendant to have deceived Klub Vanity Limited into transferring N17,245,263.00 under the false pretense of securing an apartment in Victoria Island, Lagos, between an unspecified date and March 23, 2025.
However, after the company paid the money, he bolted away and disconnected every communication he had with the complainant and went into hiding.
The matter was reported to the Commissioner of Police and was referred to SP Banti Adamu of the Command Tactical Team, Lagos State Police State Command for prompt action.
The Police trailed, eventually arrested the defendant and detained him at the Command for interrogation over his alleged conduct. He was found culpable after interrogation and charged before the Court for the alleged offence which attracts several years of imprisonment.
The charges include:
Count 1: “That you, Donatus Elom Ayim ‘m’ on 23/3/2025 at about 1600hrs at 1004 at Victoria Island, Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did fraudulently obtain the sum of N17,245,263.00 from Klub Vanity Limited under the pretence that you will assist to secure an apartment in Victoria Island and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 314(1)(a)(b) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.”
COUNT II: “That you, Donatus Elom Ayim, ‘m’ on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did steal the sum of N17,245,263.00 property of Klub Vanity Limited, and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 280(i)(a)(b) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.”
However, 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.