N6m Fraud: Husband, Wife Docked

Phillip Nonyelim, 51 and his wife, Charity Nonyelim Chiedu, 46, have been arrested by the men of the Special Fraud Unit, Milverton Road, Ikoyi, Lagos State, southwest Nigeria, for fraud.

They were arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrate’s Court on a three-count charge of obtaining N6 million under false pretence from Mr. Amaechi Osaduwa Emmanuel.

The police prosecutor alleged in the charge sheet that the accused persons were arrested following a complaint lodged by Mr. Amaechi Osaduwa Emmanuel that the couple who reside at 32, Solo Ogun Street, Aguda, Surulere, Lagos, sometime between May and June, 2011 at Okota, Isolo, Lagos, tricked him to buy their land located at Okota-Isolo and collected N6 million from him, a representation they knew was false, after the same property had been used as collateral for a bank loan.

Findings further revealed that the accused had defaulted in the facility repayment which warranted the bank to take possession.

He further stated that after he discovered that he had been duped by the couple, he confronted them to refund his money but they refused.

They were charged to court for obtaining money under false pretence and stealing.

The offences, the police prosecutor, Mr. Idowu Oshungbure, said are contrary to and punishable under Sections 409, 312 and 285 of the Criminal Code, laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.

When the charges were read to them, the accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges and the presiding Chief Magistrate, Mrs. Awope, granted them bail in the sum of N1 million each with two sureties in like sum who must show evidence of three years tax payment to the Lagos State government.

She also directed that the sureties must produce international passports and bank statement of account to the court and adjourned the matter till 30 May, 2012.

When the couple could not perfect their bail conditions in good time, they were moved to Ikoyi and Kirikiri Prisons.

Meanwhile, complainants and visitors who thronged the Police Special Fraud Unit, Ikoyi, Lagos, for their matters in recent times have praised the new Commissioner of Police in charge of SFU, CP Johnson Ogunsakin, for living up to the expectations of complainants in prompt investigation of cases and arraignment of suspects in court.

They urged him to continue with the good work as his courageous action has redeemed the image of the SUF Command.

—Paul Iyoghojie