4th January, 2012
A middle-aged man has been sent to Kirikiri prison for defrauding innocent persons to the tune of over N4.6 million.
The suspect identified as Folahan Alawiye, a native of Isale Eko was alleged to have posed as agent and marketer to Jasmin Logistics in Lagos State, southwest Nigeria.
According to the police, Folahan told Mr. Mike Enebeli that he was agent and marketer to Jasmin Logistics and promised to supply him eight units of Thermocool Air conditioners including installations and collected N1,090,000.
He was also alleged to have collected Haire Thermocool products from Mrs. Azeez Bilkisu valued at N641,000.
The police further alleged that Folahan collected N600,000 from Mr. Momodu Felix and promised to supply him eight units of split air conditioners for Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, Ijanikin, under false pretence.
The victims who later discovered that Folahan has swindled them reported the matter at Ipaja Police Station and Folahan was arrested.
During interrogation, he confessed to the crime and promised to refund the money and when he could not, he was charged to magistrate court 5, Abule Egba on eight counts charge of obtaining money under false pretence and issuance of dud cheque.
Count 1 reads: “That you, Folahan Alawiye ‘m’ on the 25 August, 2011, at Ipaja in the Ikeja magisterial district collected Haire Thermocool products value at N641,000 properties of AZeez Bilikizu ‘f’ under false pretence and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 311 of the criminal code laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.”
Count 2 reads: “That you Folahan Alawiye ‘m’ on the 29 September, 2011 at the aforesaid magisterial district did issue a Sterling Bank dud cheque to Azeez Bilikisu ‘f’ and knowing same to be false, thereby committing an offence punishable under section 359 of the criminal code laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2011.
He pleaded not guilty to all the charges and was granted bail in the sum of N100,000 with a surety who must show evidence of tax payment to Lagos State government and whose house must be verify by the court. The presiding magistrate, Mr O.A Komolafe, adjourned the case till 30 January. He was ordered remanded in Kirikiri prison when he could not meet the bail conditions.
—Yusuf Muhammed