MICHAEL AKINOLA
A 50-year old man, Michael Agbo, has been arrested and charged in Lagos State for allegedly swindling a lady, Cynthia, under the false pretence of delivering her from spiritual attacks, which turned out to be false.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened on Alafia Street, off Pipeline Road, Oke-Odo area of Lagos, where the suspect, Agbo accosted the victim.
According to the Police, the suspect met the victim and while prophesying to her said that she was possessed by evil spirit, which necessitated her having spiritual attracts and she needed to be delivered. She believed him and paid the requested money for the supposed spiritual exercise.
However, trouble started after the purported deliverance prayers did not work as Cynthia’s conditions worsened and she requested that Agbo should refund her money but he refused.
The matter was reported to the Police at Oke-Odo Division. The suspect was arrested and detained at the station for interrogation over his alleged conduct.
After interrogation, the Police found him culpable and consequently charged him before the Ogba Magistrate Court for conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence and stealing and thereby committing a punishable offence contrary to the provisions of Section 411 of the criminal laws of Lagos State, Nigeria 2015.
Part of the charges read: “That you Micheal Agbo ‘m’ and one other now at large on the said date and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District did fraudulently obtain Six Million and Five Hundred Thousand Naira Only (#6,500,000:00) from Cynthia ‘f under the pretence of delivering her from spiritual attack, a representation you know to be false and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 411 of the criminal law of Lagos State, Nigeria 2015”.
COUNT II: That you Micheal Agbo ‘m’ and one other now at large on the said date and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District did steal a total of the sum of six million and five hundred thousand Naira only ( 6,500,000:00), property of one Cynthia f’ and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 287 of Criminal Law of Lagos State, Nigeria 2015.”
However, he pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Supol Akeem Raji, 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. B.O. Osunsanmi, 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 pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.