Chief Imam Remanded Over Fraud

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The police at Yaba division, Adekunle, Lagos State, Southwest Nigeria have arrested a man who claimed to be the Chief Imam of the mosque located inside the Ikeja Local Government Secretariat, Lagos.

He was arraigned before the Yaba Magistrate’s Court on a two-count charge of obtaining money under false pretence.

The police alleged that the accused, Alfa Kabiru Lateef, who resides at 17, Fakeye Street, Alagbole, Isheri, Lagos was arrested following a complaint lodged by Rafiu Salawu, a resident of Iyana Iba, Lagos State that the accused obtained N8m from him in order to engage him in a profitable business and also help him to purchase a property at Ebute-Meta area of Yaba.

In his statement to the police, the complainant wrote: “Alfa Kabiru Lateef approached me at a function and introduced himself as the Chief Imam of a mosque inside the Ikeja Local Government secretariat on Awolowo Way, Ikeja and that he is a property manager and would like to engage me in a profitable business and also help me to buy a property at Yaba area of Lagos Mainland at a cost of N8m. I paid him cash because I trusted him.

“Shortly after collecting the money, he disappeared and I reported the matter to the police,” he stated.

Following his complaint, the Divisional Crime Officer, Yaba Police Division, DSP M.A. Oloyode led his men to Ikeja and arrested the accused within the Ikeja Local Government secretariat.

During interrogation, he allegedly admitted collecting N4m from the victim and not N8m as claimed.

“I collected N4m from him on the pretence of engaging him in a profitable business and to buy a property for him in Yaba, but I used the money to build a bungalow for myself at Alagbole, Isheri. I also bought a small car and used the remaining to take care of my family. I promised to pay him back, but instead of him to have patience, he rushed to the police,” he stated.

He was charged before the Yaba Magistrate’s Court on a two-count charge of obtaining money under false pretence, offences the prosecuting police officer, DSP Okorie, claimed are punishable under Sections 419 and 390 (9) of the Criminal Code, Cap.C.17, Vol.11, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2003.

Count two of the charges reads: “That you, Alfa Kabiru Lateef, 34 on 18 April at about 2 p.m. at 40, Borno Way, Ebute Meta, Lagos in the Lagos magisterial district did steal the sum of N8m from one Rafiu Salawu.”

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges and the presiding magistrate, Mr. A.O. Isaacs granted him bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.. The sureties, he directed, must deposit N100,000 with the court and their addresses verified.

The matter has been adjourned till 29 June, 2011 while the accused was remanded in prison custody when he could not meet the bail conditions.

—Paul Iyoghojie

 

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