MICHAEL AKINOLA
A 42-year old man, Hassan Taiwo, has been arrested and charged in Lagos State for allegedly swindling a married woman, Mrs. Doris Ogunba, under the false pretence of procuring her UK working visa for her clients.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened in 2022 but the suspect was arrested in 2023 in Lagos after obtaining the money with others at large and bolting away.
His arrest followed a petition by the complainant to the Force Criminal Investigation Department, Alagbon, Lagos, which moved into action, tracked the suspect, Taiwo, arrested and detained him for interrogation over his alleged conduct.
Taiwo was alleged to have met with the complainant and convinced her to pay the money in order to procure the visas and he also gave her a date they will be ready with assurances.
However, all the agreement they had turned out to be a scam as he collected the money from the complainant, reportedly bolted away with the money and disconnected every communication on how he will be traced.
The Police later traced, arrested him and then asked him to refund the money. At that point, he told the Police that he had spent the money and will not be able to refund the money to the owner.
The Police found him culpable and consequently charged him before the Ebute Metta Magistrate Court for conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence and stealing.
He pleaded not guilty when he was arraigned.
The prosecutor, Barrister S.O. Ayodele, 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.A. Akinde, granted him bail in the sum of N10m with two sureties in like sum, who must deposit N2m to the Court with their taxes 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.