Fraud: Sacked Insurance Agent Remanded

Men of the Yaba Police Division, Adekunle, Lagos State, southwest Nigeria, have arraigned an ex-staff of Inter-Continental Life Assurance, Alagomeji branch, Mr. Adunola Emmanuel, 47, before the Igbosere Magistrate’s Court on a nine-count charge of obtaining money from his clients under false pretence.

The police alleged that the accused was arrested, following a complaint lodged by three of his clients that he collected N1 million from Iyabode Oyebola, N450,000 from Esther Bosede of 18, Oyebola Street, Ojota, Lagos, N50,000 from Mr. Ejiofor Benjamin of Nigeria Customs Service office, Apapa, Lagos, through false representation, all totalling N1.5 million.

When the management of the company discovered the fraud, they sacked him to face the law.

In his confessional statement to the police, Adenola Emmanuel confessed to the crime of collecting money from the complainants but paid little to the account of the company and issued them fake Inter- Continental receipts. He said he has paid some of them back some money, promising to pay them the balance of their money within some months. This, the police disputed as, according to them, his transactions with the complainants occurred between May and September 2009 and he refused to settle them.

He was charged to court for stealing, an offence which, according to the prosecutor, Inspector Rita Momah, are punishable under Section 419, 390 (6) 467(3), (b) Vol. ii, laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2003.

Count 3 of the charge reads: “That you Adunola Emmanuel on the same date and place in the aforementioned magisterial district, did forge the receipt of Inter-Continental Life Assurance to them without remitting same to your company.”

Other clients allegedly defrauded by the accused include Adeola Iyabode of Block B, Shop 7, Nnamdi Azikiwe Street, Lagos Island.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges and the presiding magistrate, Mrs. M. O. Tanimola, granted him bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum who must be gainfully employed.

She adjourned the matter till 7 November, 2011.

Emmanuel was ordered remanded at Ikoyi Prison when he could not meet the bail conditions.

—Paul Iyoghojie