MICHAEL AKINOLA
A 36-year-old woman, Aminu Aishat, has been arrested and charged in Lagos State for allegedly swindling another woman, Gift Omeike, to the tune of N5m under false pretence.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened at Shaba Area of Agege, Lagos.
The suspect was said to have unlawfully obtained the sum of N5,000,000.00 from the complainant under the pretense of using the money to finance foodstuff business that would accrue profit for both of them which turned out to be a scam.
According to the Police, the suspect contacted the complainant and convinced her to bring the money for the business with an agreement to share the profits after the transaction.
However, the suspect collected the money, bolted away and disconnected every communication she had with the complainant and did not share any profit as they had agreed.
The matter was reported to the Police at Area G Command, Ogba. The operatives moved into action, eventually arrested the suspect and detained her at the Command for interrogation over her alleged conduct.
After thorough interrogation, the Police found her culpable and charged her before the Ogba Magistrate Court for the alleged offence which attracts several years of imprisonment.
The charges read:
COUNT I: “That you, Aminu Aishat between August 2024 and February 2025 at about 5:00pm and 12:00pm at Shaba Area of Agege in the Ikeja Magisterial district, did unlawfully obtain the sum of N5,000,000.00 from one Gift Omeike, under the pretense of using the money to finance foodstuff business that would accrue profit for the both of you, knowing same to be false, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 314 of the criminal law, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”
COUNT II:”That you, Aminu Aishat, on same date, time and place in the aforesaid Magisterial District, did steal the sum of N5,000,000.00 property of one Gift Omeike and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 287 of the criminal law, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”
However, she pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Supol Josephine Ihkayere, then 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, Mr. L.A. Owolabi, 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.