Man, 44, Docked For Refusing To Refund N2m Mistakenly Paid Into His Bank Account 

MICHAEL AKINOLA 

A 44-year old man, Tochukwu Ababalu, has landed in trouble in Lagos State for allegedly refusing to refund the sum of N2m mistakenly paid into his bank account claiming that it was his luck. 

P.M.EXPRESS reports that Ababalu has been arrested and charged for conduct likely to cause breach of public peace and stealing under the Criminal Laws of the State.

The incident happened on 9th September, 2024, at Ayodele Street, Ojo Alaba area of Lagos, where the transaction took place.

According to the Police,  the Account No: 0005570039 Access Bank of Account Name: Nextronic Services property of one Shege Uwa, mistakenly transferred money into the suspect’s Moniepoint account with account number: 8192473683.

However, when he was later contacted that such money was mistakenly transferred into his account, he confirmed that he received the money but refused to refund it while claiming that it was his luck.

The matter was reported to the Police at Ojo Division. The operatives moved into action, eventually arrested and detained him at the station for interrogation over his alleged conduct.

During interrogation, he also admitted to have received the money and insisted that he has spent it because it was his luck. The Police found him culpable and charged him before the Ojo Magistrate Court for the alleged offence.

The charges read:

COUNT I: That you, Tochukwu Ababalu ‘M’ on the 9th day of September 2024 at about 1640hrs at Ayodele Street, Ojo, Alaba, Ojo, Lagos, in Ojo Magisterial district, did conduct yourself in a manner likely to cause breach of the peace by causing pandemonium in the Area and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 168 (D) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos of Nigeria 2015.”

COUNT II: That you, Tochukwu Ababalu ‘M’, on the same day, time and place in the aforementioned magisterial district, did steal the sum of N2.000.000.00 (Two Million Naira Only) which was mistakenly transferred into your Account No: 8192473683 Moniepoint from Account No: 0005570039 Access Bank of Account Name: Nextronic Services property of one Shege Uwa ‘M’ and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 287 of the criminal law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”

However, he pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Supol Simeon Uche, 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.K.J Layeni, 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 till 4th November, 2024, 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.