Pastor Swindled After Attempt To Buy 2 Vehicles For  N1.7m

MICHAEL AKINOLA 

Police operatives from Lagos State Command have arrested a 33-year man, Michael Oluwasegun, for allegedly swindling a popular cleric, Pastor Olarewaju Gabriel, under the pretence of selling two vehicles to him for N1.7m and he fell into the trap.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened at Abule Egba area of Lagos, where the suspect, Oluwasegun, met Pastor Gabriel and swindled him by tempting him with reduced prices in order to lure him into buying the vehicles.

According to Police sources, the suspect offered to source and sell a Dyna truck and Toyota Camry to the tune of the amount and he gave him the money. Oluwasegun promised to bring the vehicles at an agreed date. 

However, after he obtained the money, he bolted away, disconnected every communication he had with him and  relocated elsewhere while Pastor Gabriel was waiting for the vehicles, which their second hand market value was far more than the amount he paid for the vehicles. 

Having waited in vain, he wrote a petition to the Commissioner of Police. The Police trailed Oluwasegun, eventually arrested and detained him at the Command for interrogation over his conduct. 

During interrogation, he reportedly admitted to have collected the money and asked the victim to bring more money if he actually wanted to buy the vehicles and not with the amount he gave him. 
The Police then asked him to refund the money and he claimed that he had already spent it and had no money to give him. 

The Police found him culpable and subsequently charged before the Ogba Magistrates Court for obtaining under false pretence.

When he was arraigned, he pleaded not guilty.  

The prosecutor, Inspector Okeh Chuwuba, 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. A.O. Odubayo, granted him bail and ordered his remand in the Correctional Centre at Kirikiri town, Lagos, pending when he will perfect his bail conditions. 

The matter was adjourned 19th June, 2022, for mention.