A 54-year old woman, Omonigho Faith Ewesari, has been arrested and charged in Lagos State for allegedly swindling a landlord to the tune of N6.4m under false pretence.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the woman allegedly rented out a duplex, diverted the money, went into hiding and did not send the money to the landlord.
The incident happened on 18th January, 2024 at No. 74 Asa- Afariogun Street, Ajao Estate, where the house in question is located.
According to the Police, the woman had an agreement with the landlord to rent out the place to the tune of the said amount. But after renting out the house, she escaped, did not remit the money to the landlord and disconnected every communication she had with the landlord.
The matter was reported to the Police at Ajao Estate Division. The woman was arrested and detained at the station for interrogation over her alleged conduct.
While being interrogated, she admitted to have rented out the house but had spent the money and had no money to refund the landlord.
The Police found her culpable and charged her before the Isolo Magistrate Court for the alleged offence.
However, she pleaded not guilty when she was arraigned.
The prosecutor, Inspector Solomon, 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. I.O.Williams, granted her bail with two sureties, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment while addresses will be verified by the Court.
The matter was adjourned 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.
The charges read:
COUNT 1: “That you, Omonigho Faith Ewesari on the 18th day of January 2024, at No. 74 Asa- Afariogun Street Ajao Estate in Lagos Magisterial District, did obtain the total sum of Six Million, Four Hundred Thousand Naira (N6,400,000) only from one Uchechi Igbo under the pretense of renting out a duplex apartment to her but failed to remit the money to the landlord of the property, there by committed an offence punishable under Section 315 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”
COUNT 2: “That you, Omonigho Faith Ewesari , on the same day, time and at the same place, in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did convert the sum of Six Million, Four Hundred Thousand Naira (N6,400,000) only, being money for duplex apartment to your own personal use without the consent of the Landlord of the property, and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 286 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”