Man, 45, Remanded For Swindling Finance Company Over N23m Via Loan

MICHAEL AKINOLA 

A Finance Company, ACE Financials Ltd., has lost huge sum of over N23m through a 45-year old man, Tony Kuku, who collected the loan under the false pretence to pay back within a period but ended up swindling the company in Lagos State. 

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the suspect,  Kuku, has been arrested and charged for conspiracy, obtaining under false pretence and stealing under the Criminal Laws of the State.

The incident happened at Wemco Road, Ogba, where the company is located.

The matter was reported to the Police at Area G Command in Ogba, Lagos, and the operatives promptly arrested and detained him at the Command for interrogation over his alleged conduct.

After rounds of interrogation, the Police found him culpable and consequently charged him before the Ogba Magistrate Court for the alleged offence.

Some of the charges read:

“That you, Tony Kuku and others now at large on the 4th day of June, 2024 at about 11:00hrs M. and others now at large at Ogba, Lagos in the Lagos Magisterial District, did conspire together to commit felony to wit defraud, obtaining money under false pretence, obtaining credit forgery, and stealing and thereby committed an offence contrary and punishable under Section 325 (1) (2) of the criminal law, Laws of Lagos State Nigeria 2015.”

Count II: “That you, Tony Kuku and others now at large on the same date, time and place at the aforementioned Magisterial District, did unlawfully obtain credit facility of the sum of N8,000,000.00 (Eight Million Naira Only) from ACE Financials LTD, under the pretence of paying back, within the period of 60 days and which you fully known to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 313 and punishable under Section 315 (1) (a) (b) of the criminal law, Laws of Lagos State Nigeria 2015.”

Count III: “That you, Tony Kuku and others now still at large on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did steal the sum of N8,000,000.00 (Eight Million Naira Only) property of ACE Financials Ltd., through Zenith Bank Account No. 2008653767 and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 280 and punishable under Section 287 (i) (6) (7) of the criminal law, Laws of Lagos State, Nigeria 2015.”

Count IV: “That you, Tony Kuku and others now still at large on the 28th day of June, 2024 at about 15:00hrs at No. 23, Wemco Road, Ogba, in Lagos Magisterial District, did conspire together and obtained credit facility of the sum of 15,000,000.00 (Fifteen Million Naira Only), from Ace Financials LTD, under the pretence of paying back the money within the period of 90 days and which you fully known to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 313 and punishable under Section 315 (i) (a) (b) Of the laws, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”

He pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Supol Akeem Raji, 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.