Man, 45, Docked For Swindling Woman Of N2.5m Over Purchase Of Shop 

MICHAEL AKINOLA 

A 45-year old man, Akeem Abidoye, has been arrested and charged in Lagos State for allegedly swindling a woman,  Odugbesan Seun, to the tune of N2.5m under the false pretence of selling a shop to her but it turned out to be a scam. 

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened at Oke-Odo area of Lagos and the suspect claimed that the shop was at Ile-Epo Market.

According to the Police, the suspect informed the victim that he had a shop he wanted to sell and she believed him. They then bargained on it and she eventually paid the sum of money in question.

However, trouble started after she paid the money and she asked the suspect to take her to the shop so that she will take possession. Instead he bolted away and did not refund the money either.

The alleged fraud was reported to the Area P Command of the Lagos State Command. The operatives moved into action, eventually arrested and detained him at the Command for interrogation over his alleged conduct.

While being interrogated, the suspect admitted to have collected the money from the victim for the shop but he had no shop for sale and had spent the money he obtained from the victim.

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

The charges read:

COUNT I: “That you, Akeem Abidoye, on the 13th of November, 2023 at Oke-Odo area of Lagos in the Lagos Magisterial District, did fraudulently obtain the sum of Two Million Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N2,500,000.00k) from one Odugbesan Seun ‘F’ under the pretence to sell a shop to her at Ile-Epo Market and thereby co committed an offence punishable under Section 314(1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”

COUNT II: That you, Akeem Abidoye, on the same date, time and place in the aforesaid magisterial district, did fraudulently convert to your personal use the sum of Two Million Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N2,500,000.00k) property of one Odugbesan Seun ‘F’ thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”

COUNT III:”That you, Akeem Abidoye, on the same date, time and place in the aforesaid magisterial district, did conduct yourself in a manner likely to cause breach of peace by refusing to take one Odugbesan Seun ‘F’ to the shop you sold to her at lle-Epo Market and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 168(1)(d) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”

However, he pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Inspector Simeon Njue, 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. A.K. Dosumu-Uthman, 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 till 10th December, 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.