Man, 40, Arraigned For Swindling School Owner Of N6.5m Under False Pretence

MICHAEL AKINOLA 

A 40-year old man, Igwe Samuel, has been arrested and charged in Lagos State for allegedly swindling a school owner, Olofinsawo Oluwafemi, of the sum of N6.5m under the false pretence of advertising his school online but it turned out to be a scam. 

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened on 29th May, 2025, in Ikeja area of Lagos.

According to the Police, the suspect conspired with others now at large and collected the money from the complainant to advertise the school online.

However, after he collected the money,  he bolted away, disconnected every communication he had with the complainant and did not return the money nor advertise the school as they had agreed.

The matter was reported to the Police. The suspect was trailed, eventually arrested and detained at the station for interrogation over his alleged conduct against the complainant.

After 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, Igwe Samuel and others now at large on the 29th May, 2025, in the Ikeja Magisterial District, did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit obtaining/stealing and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 411 of the criminal laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”

COUNT II: “That you, Igwe Samuel and others now at large on the same date, time and place in the aforesaid magisterial district, did fraudulently obtain the sum of Six Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N6,500,000) only through your Providus Bank with Account No. 6507935573 with the pretence of advertising his school online, knowing fully to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary and punishable under Section 314 (1) (A) of the criminal laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”

COUNT III: “That you, Igwe Samuel and others now at large on the same date, time and place at the aforementioned magisterial district, did steal and convert to your own use the cash sum of Six Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N6,500,000), property of one OLOFINSAWO OLUWAFEMI ‘M’ and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 287 (7) of the criminal laws 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 N1m 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.