Woman, 51, Docked For Swindling 6 People N40m Over Bureau De Change Business 

MICHAEL AKINOLA

A 51-year-old woman, Wasilat Akinade, has been arrested for allegedly swindling six people to the tune of N40.2m under the false pretence of registering them properly for Bureau De Change business in Lagos State. 

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the suspect has been arraigned before a Tinubu Magistrates’ Court, Lagos Island, Lagos State.
 The Police docked the suspect, Akinade, for allegedly obtaining the money under the pretense of helping the victims to secure licences in order to operate Bureau De Change business from the Central Bank of Nigeria.

However, the whole arrangement turned out to be a scam and it was reported to the Police, which led to her arrest and arraignment before the Court for the alleged offence. 

She was arraigned before Chief Magistrate O. E. Ogunkanmi on the 13 counts of the alleged conspiracy, obtaining by false pretences and stealing. 

The Police prosecutor, Supol Francis Igbinosa, told the Court that the defendant and others now at large conspired among themselves to commit the offence between February and June 2021, in the Lagos Island area of Lagos State.

Supol Igbinosa also told the Court that on 28th June 2021, the defendant allegedly obtained the sum of N7m from one Kurtis Adigba under the pretense that she would help him secure a licence to operate BDC from the Central Bank of Nigeria.

The prosecutor also said that on the same date, the defendant defrauded one Obomeghie Adam to the tune of N7m under the same pretense on the alleged offence punishable under sections 411, 314 and 280 (1) (a) (b), of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.

However, she pleaded not guilty.

 The Presiding Magistrate, Ogunkanmi, granted her bail in the sum of N2m with two sureties in like sum, who must show evidence of means of livelihood. 

The Court also ordered that the sureties must depose to affidavit of means, show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government and have their addresses verified.

The defendant was remanded in custody pending when she will perfect her bail conditions while the matter was adjourned till 28th August, 2022, for mention.