Man, 56, Docked Over Attempts To Kill Victim Who Gave Him $45,000 Dollars

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the suspect forcefully broke into the apartment of Mr. Leonard Eronini with thugs, who were armed with guns, broken bottles, sticks and cutiass, with which they threatened to kill him should he continue to disturb the suspect concerning the money.

The incident happened on 10th March, 2025, at Chois Garden Estate, Abijo GRA, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, where the complainant resides.

According to the Police,  the suspect obtained the money from the complainant via his account under the pretence of using the money to import goods and on the receipt of the goods, he will pay him back the sum of N69,000,000, being the Naira equivalent of the $45,000 within four days’ period.

However, he did not do so. Rather he converted the money to his personal use and threatened to kill the complainant, which instilled fear in him.

The matter was reported to the Police at Zone 2 Command headquarters, Onikan, Lagos. The suspect was then arrested and detained at the Command for interrogation over his alleged conduct.

After rounds of interrogation,  the Police found him culpable and consequently charged him before the Ebute Metta Magistrate Court for the alleged offence, which attracts several years of imprisonment.

The charges read:

“That you, OBIDUGWU VICTORY SOPULU ‘M’ and others now at large, on the 10th March, 2025 at Chois Garden Estate, Abijo GRA, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos in the Lagos Magisterial District, did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit: Obtaining Money by False Pretence and Stealing and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.”

COUNT II: “That you, OBIDUGWU VICTORY SOPULU ‘M’ and others now at large, on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District, with intent to defraud, did obtain the sum of $45,000 from Mr. Leonard Eronini via your account under the pretence that you were going to use the money to import goods and on the receipt of the goods, you were going pay him back the sum N69,000,000, being the Naira equivalent of the $45,000 within four days’ period but you converted it to your personal use and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.”

COUNT III: “That you, OBIDUGWU VICTORY SOPULU ‘M’ and others now at large, on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did steal the sum of $45.000 belonging Mr. Leonard Eronini and thereby committed an offence punishable under the Criminal law of Lagos State 2015.”

COUNT IV: “That you, OBIDUGWU VICTORY SOPULU ‘M’ and others now at large, on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District, with intent to cause fear or reasonable apprehension of fear, did forcibly enter the apartment of Mr. Leonard Eronini with thugs, who were armed with guns, broken bottles, sticks, cutiass, where you threatened to kill him should he continue to disturb you concerning his money and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 56 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.”

However, he pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Inspector Francisca Job, 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, Adedayo Tella, 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.