Police operatives from the Ejigbo Division of the Lagos State Command have uncovered a coordinated fraud by a 49-year old man, Johnny Jacob, for allegedly using NIN, BVN, utility bill and passport of a 77-year old woman, Victoria Adepeju Akinkugbe, to open an account at Fidelity Bank.
P.M.EXPRESS reports while money was being paid in the name of Mrs. Akinkugbe in the account, Jacob was allegedly stealing the money because he was a signatory to the account.
The alleged fraud was discovered on 10th October, 2025 at Fidelity Bank, Ejigbo branch.
According to the Police, the suspect opened the account with the complainant’s details but with his own signature and money was being paid into the account. The suspect was able to withdraw the money because he was signatory to the account.
However, the scam was discovered and the matter was reported to the Police
The Police moved into action, eventually arrested the suspect and detained him at the station for interrogation over his alleged conduct.
After interrogation, the Police found him culpable and charged him before the Ejigbo Magistrate Court for the alleged offence which attracts several years of imprisonment.
The charges read:
“That you, Johnny Jacob ‘m’, and others at large, on the 10th October, 2025, at about 1800hrs at Fidelity Bank, Ejigbo, Lagos State, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit stealing and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”
Count II: “That you, Johnny Jacob ‘m’, and others at large, on the same date, time and place. in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did conduct yourself in a manner likely to cause breach of peace by using NIN, BVN. Utility bill and passport photography of one Victoria Adepeju Akinkugbe ‘f ,77years of age to open a Fidelity Account and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 168 (d) of the Criminal law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”
Count III:”That you, Johnny Jacob ‘m’, and others at large, on the same date, time and place, in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did steal the sum of One Million Two Hundred and Sixty Two Thousand, Three Hundred And Seventy One Naira, Sixty Six Kobo (N1,262,371.66), property of one Victoria Adepeju Akinkugbe ‘f and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 287 of the criminal laws 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. F.R. Ogunkoyede, 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.