Lagos Engineer remanded over N9.3m fraud in Cooking Gas Tank scam

By Paul Iyoghojie

A 63-year-old tank builder, Ganiyu Folorunsho Yinusa, has landed in prison after allegedly defrauding the Managing Director of F&I Oil and Gas Limited, Mr. Obilo Canice, of N9.3 million under false pretence.

Operatives of the Zone 2 Command, Lagos, arrested Yinusa after he allegedly collected the money from Canice to construct an underground cooking gas tank but failed to deliver and went off the radar, switching off his phones.

After waiting for over a year with no tank in sight, the oil boss petitioned the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 2, AIG Adegoke Fayoade, who ordered his men to track and arrest the suspect.

Following an investigation led by ASP Francis Achua, Yinusa was arraigned before the Igbosere Magistrate’s Court, sitting at the Tinubu Magistrate Court, on charges of obtaining money under false pretence and stealing.

Prosecuting Counsel DSP Francis Igbinosa told the court that the offence took place on November 28, 2023, at Ago Palace Way, Okota, Isolo, Lagos.

He stated that Yinusa, after receiving the money, vanished without fulfilling his contractual agreement, leaving the complainant stranded.

The offences, according to Igbinosa, are punishable under Sections 314 and 287 of the Lagos State Criminal Law, 2015.

Yinusa pleaded not guilty, and Chief Magistrate O.O. Olatunji granted him bail at N2 million with two sureties in like sum.

However, he was remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Facility pending the fulfillment of his bail conditions.

The case has been adjourned till April 3, 2025, for mention.