36 Year Old arraigned over N2.25 Million Fraud

A 36 year old man named Sunday Alawode, who allegedly defrauded three men of N2.25 million on the pretext of helping them get Republic of Bahamas visas, on Friday appeared before a Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.

Alawode pleaded not guilty to a two-count charge of obtaining under false pretences and stealing.

The Prosecutor, Insp. Romanus Unuigbe, told the court that the accused committed the offences sometime in December 2016 in Surulere, Lagos.

Unuigbe said that the accused collected N1.8 million from one Kayode Adenuga, N280,000 from one Shittu Babatunde and N170,000 from one Omoyemi Muyiwa with a promise to procure Republic of Bahamas visas for them.

He said that Alawode, however, collected the money and failed to get the visas as promised.

According to Unuigbe, the offences contravene Sections 287 (a) (e) and 314 (1) (a) (b) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).

It was reported that Sections 287 and 314 prescribe 14 years and 15 years imprisonment respectively for offenders.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr P. A. Ojo, granted the accused person bail in the sum of N500, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

He said the sureties must be gainfully employed and should also show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

The magistrate adjourned the case until June 19 for substantive trial.