MICHAEL AKINOLA
A 43-year old man, Sobayo Sunkanmi, has been arrested and charged in Lagos State for allegedly swindling a businessman, Olayinka Gabriel, to the tune of the sum of N15m under false pretence.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened in December,2025 at Kudeyibu Street, Isheri, Ijegun area of Lagos.
According to the Police, the suspect convinced the complainant that he was a clearing agent and demanded the money in question to clear a container of goods, which the complainant paid for.
However, after the complainant paid the money, the suspect bolted away, disconnected every communication he had with the complainant and went into hiding.
The matter was reported to the AIG at Zone 2 Headquarters, Onikan, Lagos. Following his directive, the Police operatives moved into action, eventually arrested the suspect and detained him at the Command for interrogation over his alleged conduct.
After thorough 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, SOBAYO SUNKANMI ‘M’ and others now at large, sometime in the month of December, 2025 at about 1400hrs at no. 92, Kudeyibu Street, Isheri, Ijegun in the Lagos State Magisterial District, did conspire to commit felony to wit: Obtaining money under false pretence and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.”
COUNT II:”That you, SOBAYO SUNKANMI ‘M’ and others now at large, on the same date, time and place in the aforesaid Magisterial District, did obtain the sum of N15,000,000 (Fifteen Million Naira) from one Olayinka Gabriel under the pretense to clear a container and knew same to be a false presentation and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.”
COUNT III:”That you, SOBAYO SUNKANMI ‘M’ and others now at large, on the same date, time and place in the aforesaid Magisterial District, did conduct yourselves in manner likely to cause the breach of peace by fraudulently obtaining the sum of N15,000,000 (Fifteen Million Naira) from one Olayinka Gabriel under the pretense to clear a container and knew same to be a false presentation and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 168(1)(d) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.”
He pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Supol Josephine Ihkayere, 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, Mr. L.A. Owolabi, 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.