KINGSLEY EBERE
A 38-year old woman, Faith Osinga, has been arrested and charged in Lagos State for allegedly swindling another woman, Chongwe Carolyn, to the tune of N6m under the pretence of procuring Guatemalan Visa and flying ticket for her and her three siblings, which turned out to be a scam.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened at Remi Fani Kayode Street, GRA Ikeja, Lagos.
According to the Police, the suspect convinced the complainant that she had the capacity to get traveling documents that will enable the victim and her siblings to travel abroad. She believed the suspect and paid the money.
However, trouble started after the suspect collected the money, bolted away and disconnected every communication she had with the complainant and went into hiding.
The matter was reported to the Police at Ikeja Division. The Police operatives moved into action, eventually arrested and detained the suspect at the station for interrogation over her alleged conduct.
During interrogation, the suspect admitted that they actually collected the money but have spent it and as such there was no money to refund her.
The Police found her culpable and consequently charged her before the Ogba Magistrate Court for the alleged offence which attracts several years of imprisonment.
The charges read:
COUNTI: That you, Faith Osinga ‘f and others now at large, sometimes In the month of February, 2022 at No. 25, Remi Fani Kayode Street, GRA Ikeja, Lagos, in the Ikeja Magisterial District, did conspire with others now at large to commit felony to wit obtaining money by false pretence and hereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 111 of Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.”
COUNT II: That you, Faith Osinga ‘f’ and others now at large, on the same date, and place in the aforesaid Magisterial District, did fraudulently obtain the sum of N6,000,000.00 (six million Naira only) from one Chongwe Carolyn ‘f with the pretence of procuring Guatemalan Visa and flying ticket for her and her three siblings, which you know to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 313 and punishable under Section 314 of Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.”
However, she pleaded not guilty when she was arraigned.
The prosecutor, Supol Evelyn, asked the Court to give a date for hearing since she pleaded not guilty to enable the Police to prove that she actually committed the alleged offence.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mr. M.A. Adegbaye, granted her bail in the sum 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 28th November, 2024, for mention while the defendant was remanded in custody at the correctional center at Kirikiri town, Lagos, pending when she will perfect her bail conditions.