MICHAEL AKINOLA
A 42-year old woman, Blessing Kingsley, has been arrested in Lagos State for allegedly swindling another woman, Mrs. Florence Abidoye, to the tune of N3.1m to procure visa for her son and it turned to be a scam.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened at Yusuf Onifade Street, Baruwa area of Ipaja, Lagos, where she obtained the money under false pretence and bolted away.
The suspect, Blessing, allegedly informed the complainant that she has access to get Finland visa for her son. The victim paid her the requested sum of money and she promised to provide the visa over an agreed period of time.
However, after Blessing obtained the said money, she bolted away and did not procure any visa. The suspect disconnected every communication she had with the complainant and went into hiding.
The matter was reported to the Police at Ipaja Division. The operatives moved into action, eventually arrested Blessing and detained her at the station for interrogation over the alleged criminal conduct.
After thorough interrogation, the Police found her culpable and subsequently charged her before the Ejigbo Magistrates Court for conduct likely to cause breach of public peace and stealing under the Criminal Laws of the State.
She pleaded not guilty when she was arraigned.
The prosecutor, Inspector Simeon Njue, asked the Court to give a date for hearing since he pleaded not guilty to enable the Police to prove that she actually committed the alleged offence.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. A.K. Dosumu, granted her bail in the sum of N1m with two sureties in like sum, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment.
The matter was adjourned till 24th May, 2023, for mention while the defendant was remanded in custody at the Correctional Centre at Kirikiri town, Lagos, pending when she will perfect her bail conditions.