KINGSLEY EBERE
A 28-year-old woman, Angel Tochi Nwigwe, was arraigned before a Lagos Magistrate Court on Tuesday over allegations of obtaining money under false pretence and stealing N8,200,000.
The case was filed by the Commissioner of Police in the Lagos Magisterial District, following legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions at the Lagos State Ministry of Justice. The prosecution said the matter warranted judicial attention after preliminary investigations.
According to the charge sheet, the alleged incident occurred in August 2025 at Chevron, Lekki, within the Lagos Magisterial District. The matter is being handled by the Special Enquiry Bureau of the Nigeria Police Force, which carried out the investigation.
The prosecution alleged that the defendant collected the sum of Eight Million, Two Hundred Thousand Naira from one Onyenankeya Ujunwa Valeria. Court documents stated that the money was collected under the pretence that it would be used to revamp a business owned by the complainant.
The charge contains two counts. The first count borders on obtaining property by false pretence, contrary to Section 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. It stated that the defendant allegedly obtained the money by falsely representing that it would be invested to revamp the complainant’s business.
The second count related to stealing, contrary to Section 287 of the same law. It alleged that on the same date and location, the defendant dishonestly converted the said sum to her own use instead of using it for the agreed purpose.
Inspector Eze Christian of the Special Enquiry Bureau was listed as the Investigating Police Officer. A contact number was also provided in the document for further inquiries from interested parties and for record purposes.
When the charges were read to her, the defendant pleaded not guilty to both counts.
The prosecutor, SP Philip Ademigbuji, asked the court for a date to enable the Police to present evidence and witnesses to prove the allegations beyond reasonable doubt.
The presiding magistrate, Mrs. O. Kusanu, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N2 million with two sureties in like sum. The court ruled that the sureties must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
The magistrate also directed that the addresses of the sureties be verified by the court registrar before the bail is perfected.
The court adjourned the matter for hearing. Legal procedure requires the prosecution to present evidence, while the defendant is entitled to fair hearing and legal representation. All parties are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.