Man, 39, Docked For Allegedly Stealing N18.3m Under False Pretence

KINGSLEY EBERE 

A 39-year old man, Paul Iregiegbe, has been arrested and charged in Lagos State for allegedly stealing over N18.3m belonging to Ekwugwa Chinedu Titus under false pretence. 

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened between July, 2022 and January, 2025 at 62 Ojukutu Street, Aboru, Lagos.

According to the Police, the suspect and others now at large conspired and stole the money within those years before the owner later discovered that they had been stealing his money.

The matter was reported to the Police at Oke Odo Division. The suspect was arrested and detained at the station for interrogation over his alleged conduct.

After interrogation, the Police found him culpable and consequently charged him before the Ogba Magistrate Court for the alleged offence which attracts several years of imprisonment.

The charges read:

COUNT I: “That you, Paul Iregiegbe ‘M’ and others now at large between July. 2024 and January 2025 at No 62 Ojukutu Street, Aboru, Lagos in the Ikeja Magisterial District, did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit: stealing and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 411 and punishable under Section 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”

COUNT II: “That you, Paul Iregiegbe ‘M’ and others now at large on the same date and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did unlawfully convert to your personal use total sum of N18,397,700:00 (Eighteen Million, Three Hundred and Ninety Seven Thousand, Seven Hundred Naira Only) property of one Ekwugwa Chinedu Titus ‘M’ and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 280 (1) (a) (b) and punishable under Section 287 (5) (a) (7) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”

However, he pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Inspector Lucky Ihiehie, 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. M.O.Tanimola, granted him bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum, 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.