CYRIACUS IZUEKWE
A 33-year-old man, Ohu Abayomi, was on Monday docked before an Ogba Magistrate Court over alleged involvement in an N11,457,100 online investment scam.
According to court documents marked A/12026, Abayomi and one Oghenevwegba Anere, who is currently at large, are facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence, and stealing.
The prosecution alleged that the offences were committed between November 2024 and February 2025 within the Ogba Magisterial District in Lagos State.
In the first count, the Police alleged that Abayomi of No. 18, Ilupeju Estate, Iyana Cele, Sango, Ogun State, conspired with others to commit felony through online scam. The offence is contrary to Section 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The second count alleged that the defendant unlawfully obtained the sum of N11,457,100 from one Habeeb Adesuji Adegunle. The money was said to have been paid into a Kuda Bank account, number 2017966814, bearing the name Ohu Abayomi.
The prosecution stated that the funds were collected under the pretence of organizing an online investment business. The charge was brought under Section 314(1)(2)(3) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
In the third count, Abayomi was accused of stealing the same sum of N11,457,100, property of Mr. Adegunle. The prosecution said the money was obtained with a promise to invest it online and was allegedly converted to personal use. This is contrary to Section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The case was investigated by Inspector Balogun Bamidele of the State Criminal Investigation Department, SID, Ikeja. The file was processed by the District Prosecutor’s Office, Ogba, under the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, Lagos State Ministry of Justice.
Court records showed that the second defendant, Oghenevwegba Anere, is still at large.
However, the defendant pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
The prosecutor, SP Philip Ademigbuji, asked the court to give a date for hearing to enable the police to prove the allegations against the defendants.
The presiding Magistrate, Mrs. O. Kusanu, granted the defendant bail with two sureties, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment.
The matter was adjourned for mention while the defendant was remanded in custody at the Correctional Centre at Kirikiri Town, Lagos, pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.
Legal experts emphasize that an accusation is not proof of guilt. Under Nigerian law, every person charged with an offence is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
The Lagos Police Command has continued to warn residents about online investment scams and urged the public to verify platforms and report suspicious financial activities to law enforcement agencies.