Man, 59, Sent To Prison For Swindling Mortgage Bank N5m With Dud Cheque

MICHAEL AKINOLA 

A 59-year old man, Akindele Taofik, has been arrested and charged in Lagos State for allegedly swindling Living Trust Mortgage Bank to the tune of N5m with a dud cheque.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened at the bank’s branch in Ikeja area of Lagos, where the suspect, Taofik, obtained a loan under the false pretence of investing the money into a business venture, which turned out to be false.

According to the Police, he went to the bank and requested for loan to the tune of the said money in question. The bank obliged him under the condition that he will refund the money at a specific period.

However, trouble started when it was time for Taofik to refund the money, and he issued the bank management Sterling Bank Cheque slip with number,  0079877764 of N2m .

When the management went to the bank to withdraw the money,  it was declined due to insufficient fund in his account and he knew that there was no money in his account.

The matter was reported to the Police at Area F Command, Ikeja. He was 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 Ogba Magistrate Court for obtaining money under false pretence, which attracts several years of imprisonment.

He pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, DSP Kehinde Ajayi, 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 E. Kubenije, granted him bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and addresses verified by the Court.

The matter was adjourned till 18th May, 2024, for mention while the defendant was remanded in custody at the correctional centre at Kirikiri town, Lagos, pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.