24th December, 2010
By Paul Iyoghojie
Two prominent members of a village cultural group, 1221 Family Association based in Orile-Iganmu area of Lagos State, Livinus Okoro, 32, and Felix Nwohage, 29, chairman and treasurer respectively, have been arrested by the police for allegedly defrauding the association to the tune of N1,738,000 and later arraigned before a court.
The incident happened at 24, Zion Street, Orile Iganmu, Lagos.
Police alleged that the duo, as members of the association, were entrusted with the bank account of the association domiciled with Bank PHB to be depositing all the monies contributed by members during their monthly meetings into the account.
It was learnt that the duo deposited some money into the account only twice, while other contributions were alleged converted to their personal use, using forged bank tellers and unknown to other members.
Nemesis, however, caught up with them when they were told to render the yearly account to the association and they reportedly went into hiding.
The members reported the matter at the Orile Police Division and after a few days of manhunt for them, they were arrested at their different hideouts following a tip off.
They were later charged with fraud and stealing before a Surulere Magistrate’s Court. The offence is punishable under Section 516, 390 (9) and 467 of the Criminal Code Cap C 17, Vol. II Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2003.
The three-count charge read: “that you, Livinus Okoro and Felix Nwohage at 24, Zion Street, Orile Iganmu, Lagos, on the same date, time and place in the aforesaid district, did steal the sum of N1,738,660 property of one Michael Oliseh and others of 1221 Family Association with 14 forged Bank PHB teller numbers AE004482; AF0049844, AE7474102, LA3517185, 1-777296, 1-7751198 and eight others with intent to deceive the club or association members or acted upon as genuine to the prejudice of 1221 Family Association.â€
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges and the presiding Magistrate, M.K.O. Fadeyi, granted them bail in the sum of N250,000 each with two sureties in the like sum, while the matter was adjourned till 7 February, 2011.
The defendants were, however, ordered to be remanded in Kirikiri Maximum Prison when they could not meet their bail conditions.
