Man In Police Net For Swindling Trader Of N3m Over Supply Of Bags Of Rice

MICHAEL AKINOLA 

A man, Tade Fagbenro, has been arrested and charged in Lagos State for allegedly swindling a trader, Aliyu Salawu, to the tune of the sum of N3m under the false pretence of supplying him 40 bags of rice which turned out to be a scam. 

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened at Akinrunmade Close, Alagbado, Lagos.

According to the Police, the suspect convinced the complainant that he had bags of rice he wanted to sell and asked him to pay the money to enable him to supply them.

The complainant believed him, paid the money and the suspect promised to supply it on an agreed date. However,  after the suspect received the money, he bolted away and disconnected every communication he had with the complainant.

The matter was reported to the Police at Area P Command. The Police operatives moved into action, eventually arrested the suspect and detained him at the Command for interrogation over his alleged conduct.

During interrogation, the suspect admitted to have collected the money, had spent it and had no money to refund the victim.

The Police found him culpable and charged him before the Ejigbo Magistrate Court for the alleged offence.

The charge reads:

Count I: “That you, Tade Fagbenro ‘M’ on the 4th December, 2024 at Akinrunmade Close, Alagbado, Lagos in the Lagos Magisterial District, with intent to defraud, did fraudulently obtain the sum of Three Million Naira only (N3,000,000.00K) from one Aliyu Salawu ‘M’ in the pretence to supply 40 Bags of Rice for him and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”

Count II: “That you, Tade Fagbenro ‘M’ on the same date, and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did fraudulently convert to your personal use, the sum of Three Million Naira only (N3,000,000.00K) property of one Aliyu Salawu ‘M’ and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”

However, he pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Supol Benedict Aigbokhan, 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. A.K. Dosumu-Uthman, granted him bail in the sum of N1m 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 3rd March, 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.