MICHAEL AKINOLA
A 55-year old man, Sunday Chimezie, has been arrested and charged for allegedly refusing to refund N9m, which was mistakenly paid into his bank account, claiming that it was his luck.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the suspect, Chimezie, has been charged before the Ogba Magistrate Court for conduct likely to cause breach of public peace, conspiracy, stealing and criminal diversion over his alleged conduct.
According to the Police, the complainant, Alhaji Alti Musa, mistakenly sent the money to the defendant’s Zenith Bank account and when he saw the money, he quickly withdrew it.
However, when he was contacted, he denied that such money came into his account and the complainant reported to matter to the Police at Area F Command, Ikeja. The Police moved into action, eventually arrested and detained him for interrogation.
While being interrogated, he initially denied but when he was presented with his bank account details of his withdrawal, he claimed that it was his luck and had spent the whole money.
The Police found him culpable and charged him before the Court for the alleged offence which attracts several years of imprisonment.
The charges read:
“That you, Sunday Chimezie ‘M’, and others now at large on the 17th of September, 2025 in the Lagos Magisterial District, did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit stealing and thereby committed an offence under Section 411 of the criminal laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”
COUNT II:”That you, Sunday Chimezie and others now at large on the same date, in the aforementioned magisterial district, did dishonestly convert the sum of Nine Million Naira (₩9,000,000.00) only to your own use, property of one Alhaji Alti that was mistakenly sent to your Zenith Bank Account and thereby committed an offence under Section 280 of the criminal laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”
COUNT III:”That you,Sunday Chimezie and others now at large on the same date, at the aforementioned magisterial district, did conduct yourselves in a manner likely to cause breach of peace by withdrawing all the money mistakenly sent to your account and denying having seen the money thereby committed an offence under Section 168 (d) of the criminal laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”
He pleaded not guilty.
The Prosecutor, Supol Philip Ademigbuji, 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. O. Kusanu, 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.