16th July, 2023
By Paul Iyoghojie
Operatives of the Zone 2 Command, Onikan, of the Nigeria Police, Lagos have arrested and charged before a Lagos Magistrates’ Court 38-year-old Femi Kayode who allegedly obtained the sum of N5.5m from his friend under false pretence.
Police alleged that the defendant collected the sum of N4,100,000 from his friend, Seyi Adenuga to purchase a civilian coaster bus for him and another N1,400,000 to purchase a landed property for him, but that the defendant instead converted the money to his use and absconded without purchasing anything for the complainant.
Police said that following his disappearance, the complainant petitioned the Assistant Inspector General of Police in Charge of Zone 2 Command, Lagos, AIG Ali Mohammed Ari, who directed his crack team to fish out the accused.
The Police team tracked the defendant to a hideout in Lagos and arrested him.
Kayode, a resident of the Adamo area of Ikorodu, Lagos was charged before the Igbosere Magistrates’ Court sitting at the Tinubu Magistrates’ Court on a six-count charge bordering on forgery and stealing.
Police prosecuting counsel, ASP Francis Igbinosa told the court in the charged marked A/22/2023 that the defendant committed the offence in March and September 2023 at Akin Oshogemi Street, Ikeja, Lagos.
Igbinosa informed the court that the defendant collected the sum of N5.5m from the complainant to help him purchase a civilian coaster bus and a landed property but he failed to fulfil the promise and instead converted the money to his use and escaped before he was tracked and arrested at a hideout in Lagos.
He said the offences, the defendant committed were punishable under Sections 411, 314, 280, 566 and 365(d) of the Criminal Code Laws of Lagos State.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges and Chief Magistrate Mr. Ogunkonmi granted him N2m bail with two sureties in like sum.
Ogunkonmi adjourned the case till 27 July 2023 for mention.