CYRIACUS IZUEKWE
A 27-year-old man, Andrew Kennedy, was on Thursday arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrate Court for allegedly defrauding a lady, Amedu Joy, of the sum of N2,300,000 and assaulting her at Ikeja Army Cantonment, Lagos.
The defendant is facing a three-count charge filed by the Commissioner of Police in Charge No. MIK/19723/2026 within the Ikeja Magisterial District.
According to the charge sheet, the alleged incidents involving Amedu Joy occurred between November 2025 and April 2026 at the Ikeja Army Cantonment residence.
In Count I, the prosecution alleged that sometime in November 2025, Kennedy stole the sum of N1,500,000 belonging to Amedu Joy and converted the money to his personal use.
The offence was said to be contrary to Section 280 and punishable under Section 287 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.
In Count II, the Police alleged that in January 2026 at about 5:50pm, at the same Army Cantonment address, the defendant obtained N800,000 from Amedu Joy.
The prosecution alleged that the defendant obtained the money under the false pretence of paying for her Master’s degree programme, which he allegedly knew to be false.
That offence was said to be contrary to Section 313 and punishable under Section 314 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.
In Count III, the charge stated that on April 26, 2026 at about 6:00pm, Amedu Joy went to the Cantonment residence. The prosecution alleged that at that time, the defendant dragged her out of his house and slapped her during a confrontation.
The act was said to have contravened Section 170 and is punishable under Section 172 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.
The matter was prosecuted by Inspector Oluwole Bunmi of Ikeja Police Division under the supervision of CSP Akinwunmi Oke.
However, the defendant pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, SP Josephine Ihkayere, then asked the Court to give a date for hearing to enable the Police to prove the allegations.
The presiding Magistrate, Mr. L.A. Owolabi, granted him bail with two sureties, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment.
The Magistrate adjourned the case for further hearing and directed compliance with court procedures.
Legal analysts note that the total amount allegedly involved is N2,300,000 with charges covering theft, obtaining by false pretences, and assault under Lagos State law.