Man, 70, Swindles Woman Of N4.5m With Fake Dollars At Allen Avenue

KINGSLEY EBERE 

A 70-year man, Alhatu Mohammed, has been arrested and charged in Lagos State for allegedly swindling a woman, Godwin Azibaoledia, to the tune of N4.5m by selling fake $2000 US dollars equivalent of the money. 

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened on 28th April, 2025, at Allen Avenue Ikeja, Lagos, where the victim went to buy the Dollars.

According to the Police, the victim went to the place with the Naira equivalent to purchase Dollars and the suspect collected the money and gave her fake Dollars.

However, when she verified the Dollars she was given by the suspect, it turned out to be fake and the matter was reported to the Police at Ikeja Division. The suspect was then arrested and detained at the station for interrogation over his alleged conduct.

The Police found him culpable after interrogation and consequently charged him before the Ogba Magistrate Court for the alleged offence which attracts several years of imprisonment.

The charges read:

COUNT I: “That you ALHATU MOHAMMED ‘M’ and others now at large on the 28th day of April, 2025 at about 1915hrs at Allen Avenue Ikeja, Lagos in the Ikeja Magisterial District, did conspire with others now at large to commit felony to wit stealing and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.”

COUNT II: “That you ALHATU MOHAMMED ‘M’ and others now at large on the same date, time and place in the aforesaid Magisterial District, did steal Nigerian Currency of N4.5 Million and sold fake two Thousand Five Hundred US dollars equivalent to one Godwin Azibaoledia ‘F’ and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 280 and punishable under Section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”

However, he pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Supol Josephine Ihkayere, 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. L.A. Owolabi, granted him bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment while addresses will be verified by the Court.

The matter was adjourned till 7th October, 2025, 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.