Woman, 49, Remanded For Swindling A Female Customer Of N5m Under False Pretence 

KINGSLEY EBERE 

Police operatives from the Tactical team of the Lagos State Command have arrested a 49-year old woman, Ruth Danimoh Osaro, for allegedly swindling a another woman, Sunmola Temitope, to the tune of N5m under false pretence. 

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened on 4th July, 2024, at No.1 Oyekan Street, Igbo-Elerin, Okoko area of Lagos.

According to the Police, the suspect contacted the victim that she had palm oil, which she wanted to sell and asked her to pay the money in question to enable her to supply the goods to her and the victim believed her.

The victim then transferred the money into her bank account with an agreement that she will supply the palm oil on an agreed date since she had paid the money for the goods.

However, after Osaro received the money, she bolted away and did not supply the large quantity of palm oil as they agreed and disconnected every communication they had.

The alleged fraud was reported to the Police. The operatives moved into action and eventually tracked her to Ondo State, where she was hiding and brought her back to Lagos State for interrogation.

After rounds of interrogation, the Police found her culpable because she had no palm oil to supply and had as well spent the money.

She was charged before the Ojo Magistrate Court for the alleged offence under the Criminal Laws of the State.

The charges read:

“That you, Ruth Danimoh Osaro and others now at large on the 4th day of July, 2023 at No.1 Oyekan Street, Igbo-Elerin, Okokomaiko area of Lagos, in the Lagos State Magisterial District, did conspire amongst yourselves to commit felony to wit: stealing and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 411 of the criminal law of Lagos State 2015.”

COUNT II: That you, Ruth Danimoh Osaro and others still at large on the 4th day of July, 2023 at No.1 Oyekan Street, Igbo-Elerin, Okokomaiko area of Lagos, in the Lagos State Magisterial district, did receive an electronic transfer of the sum of Five Million Naira Only (N5,000,000.00) into your GTB account number 0014186155 from one Sunmola Temitope ‘f’ for supply of palm oil and convert to your personal use and ran to Okiti Pupa area of Ondo State and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 287 of the criminal law of Lagos State 2015.”

She pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Inspector Esther Adesulu, 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, Mrs. A.M. Alade, granted her bail in the sum of N750,000 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 10th October, 2024, for mention while the defendant was remanded in custody at the correctional center pending when she will perfect her bail conditions.