Fake Soccer Agent Docked Over N3m Fraud

By Paul  Iyoghojie

A 50 year-old man, Harrison Jalla, who claimed to be a football agent, has been arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrates Court, Lagos Island, for allegedly obtaining the sum of N3m from one Walter Onoh on the pretence of helping him to send 15 young players to foreign football clubs for training to enable them become professional, a representation, he knew to be false.

He was charged on 4-counts of felony to wit, obtaining money under false pretence, making false statement and declaration on oaths, and issuance of dud cheque.

The police prosecutor, SP Emerho Frank told the court in charge No. S/3/2013 that the accused was arrested by the operatives at the Special Fraud Unit, Milverton Street, Ikoyi, Lagos, following a complaints lodged by one Walter Onoh that the accused sometimes in 2008 at 66, Campbell Street, Lagos Island conspired with others at large to collect the sum of N3m from him on the pretence of helping him to send 15 players to foreign club for training for them to become professional but he failed to fulfill the promise and also refused to refund the money.

SP Emerho identified the victims as Chidioke Onoh, Emeka Nnadi, Victor Ogbodo, Obinna Nwakama, Onyedika Ngwu, Seun Akinlaja, Audu Abubakar, Chigozie Okems, Ikenna Obiefuna, Obina Nnenaya, Nkantu Iroha and others. He further stated that the accused with intent to defraud issued one cheque of Access Bank No. 0000151 valued N2, 380,000 dated 17 August, 2009 in favour of Walter Onoh, but when presented, it was dishonoured due to lack of funds in the account.