MICHAEL AKINOLA
A 53-year old man, Akande Kehinde, has been arrested and charged in Lagos State for allegedly swindling Laralek Ultimate Group Company to the tune of N38m under false pretence.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the suspect obtained the money sometime in September 2023 at Abeokuta Expressway, Dopemu area of Lagos, where the company is located.
However, after he collected the money, he bolted away and did not execute the contract as they had agreed. What he did was to disconnect every communication he had with the company and went into hiding.
The alleged conduct was reported to the Police at Shasha Division. The Police operatives moved into action, eventually arrested and detained the suspect at the station for interrogation over his alleged conduct.
After interrogation, 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:
“That you, Akande Kehinde ‘m’, something in the month of September, 2023 at No. 8. Abeokuta Expressway, Dopemu area of Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did obtain the sum of N38,000,000.00 (Thirty eight million Naira only) from one Laralek Ultimate Group Company with the intent to defraud by taking up a contract, knowing well that you cannot execute and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 314(1a) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”
COUNT II:-“That you, Akande Kehinde ‘m’, on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial district, did collect the sum of N38,000,000.00. (Thirty eight million Naira only) from one Laralek Ultimate Group Company to execute a contract and converted the said sum to your own use and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 280 and punishable under Section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”
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, Mr. T.A. Popoola, 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.