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  • Businesswoman arraigned over alleged N68m, $10,000 scam

    Businesswoman arraigned over alleged N68m, $10,000 scam

    The Lagos State government has arraigned a businesswoman, Oluwatomilola Balogun, before the High Court at Tafawa Balewa Square, for allegedly obtaining N68.6 million and $10,000 from four different persons by false pretense.

    Balogun was arraigned alongside two companies, Twelvest Ltd. and Vestract Ltd., before Justice Ibironke Harrison.

    She is standing trial on four counts bordering on obtaining under false pretenses.

    Prosecution counsel, Ade Erinkitola, told the court that the defendant committed the alleged offences sometime in February 2019 and December 2021, at Suite GO2B, Waterside, 5 Admiralty Road off Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.

    According to him, the defendant fraudulently obtained N36.6 million and $5,000 from George Epebitie, N12 million and $4000 from Eriye Onagoruwa; N5.5 million and $1,000 from Adeola Odunlami, and N14.5 million from Modupe Ayeni by representing herself as a financial advisor.

    The state said: “She advised Epebitie and others to invest in businesses and promised they would get their return on investments which they did not get.”

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    The alleged offence contravenes Section 314(3) of the Criminal Law, Ch. C17, Vol. 3, Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

    Balogun pleaded not guilty.

    Erinkitola urged the court to remand the defendant in a correctional facility pending the determination of her bail application.

    Defence counsel, Olabisi Makanjuola, informed the court that the defendant was on administrative bail.

    Makanjuola urged the court to allow her to continue enjoying the administrative bail, adding that she is a nursing mother.

    Justice Harrison granted the defendant’s prayer, saying: “The offence is bailable.”

    She, however, ordered the defence to serve their bail application to the other party.

    The judge adjourned until May 2.

  • Businesswoman held over alleged possession of firearms

    A 35-year-old businesswoman, Rose Eitus, who was allegedly in possession of one locally-made single barrel short gun, yesterday appeared before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court.

    Eitus, who loves at 6, Agboworin Street, Ketu, Ijanikin in Lagos, was arraigned on a two-count-charge of conspiracy and unlawful possession of firearms.

    The defendant pleaded not guilty.

    Prosecuting Sergeant Michael Unah alleged that the defendant conspired with others still at large, unlawfully having in their possession a locally-made gun with one live cartridge.

    Unah said Eitus could not give a satisfactory account of how she came about the firearms.

    The prosecutor said the defendant committed the offences on February14 at 10.00 p.m., at her home.

    “A team of police officers got information that a group of boys were smoking Indian hemp at the defendant’s shop.

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    “This generated fear in the neighborhood and the police officers were alerted.

    “The said boys took to their heels upon sighting the police from afar, while the defendant was arrested after a gun with one live cartridge was found behind her freezer,’’ he said.

    Chief Magistrate A.A. Fashola granted the defendant N200,000 bail with two sureties in the like sum.

    He said the sureties must be employed with an evidence of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government and have their addresses verified by the court.

    The magistrate said the sureties must be relatives of the defendant and reside within the court’s jurisdiction.

    The case continues on April 16.

     

  • Businesswoman faces N165.5m fraud charge

    THE  Ikeja Special Offences Court yesterday remanded a businesswoman, Linda Mabi-Praise, who allegedly defrauded a lawyer, Mr. Unoma Omo, of N165.5 million.

    Mabi-Praise pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge of obtaining money by false pretences and stealing preferred against her by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Her counsel A. A. Adetunji prayed the court to grant her bail on liberal terms.

    His client, he said, turned herself in as soon as she learnt that a charge had been filed against her.

    He said she had responsible people who were ready to stand as her surety.

    Read also: Court remands MD in prison over N58m shares fraud

    But the prosecution opposed the bail request, praying the court for an accelerated hearing of the case.

    The prosecutor, Frank Ofoma, said he was ready with his witnesses as it is a straight forward case

    He said Mabi-Praise and her company, Mutano Energy Ltd., committed the offence from April to June, 2017.

    “The defendant and her company, with an intent to defraud, obtained N165.5 million from Omo on the pretence that the money was for the lifting and supply of diesel (Automotive Gas Oil),” he said.

    Justice Sherifat Solebo granted Mabi-Praise N25million bail with two sureties in the like sum. The sureties must be resident in Lagos, show proof of their residency and tax payment

    The case continues on March 25.

     

  • EFCC arraigns businesswoman for alleged N7m gari fraud

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday arraigned Blessing Aishatu Arowojobe at an Ikeja Special Offences Court in Lagos for alleged fraud of N7million.

    Arowojobe was arraigned before Justice Mojisola Dada on a one-count charge of obtaining money by false pretence to the tune of N7,065,000.

    According to information before the court, the petitioner had alleged that sometime in January 2018, the suspect approached him for a business proposal and they concluded a plan to engage in gari business.

    It was alleged that in February 2018, N7, 275,500 was transferred to the defendant for the procurement of gari and cassava from Edo State, but she diverted the money to personal use.

    Read also: EFCC arraigns businesswoman for alleged N7m gari fraud

    The defendant pleaded not guilty.

    Prosecution counsel Franklin Ofoma asked the court for a trial date, saying the defendant should be remanded in prison custody.

    Counsel to the defendant G. A. Elebhose prayed the court for a short date to allow him file and serve her bail application.

    Justice Dada adjourned the matter till January 23 and February 11 for hearing of the bail application and trial to commence, and remanded the defendant in EFCC custody.

     

  • Businesswoman ‘issues N4.1m dud cheque’

    A 39-year-old businesswoman, Shodiyan Bisoye, was yesterday brought before a Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly issuing N4.1 million dud cheque to an investment company.

    Bisoye, who lives at Iyana Oba, Lagos, was said to have  issued the dud cheque to Virtue One Global Investment Ltd.

    Prosecutor Roman Unuigbe said the accused committed the offence on September 29, 2017, at Block 2, Flat 6, Iba Housing Estate, Iyana Oba.

    He alleged that the accused collected a loan from the firm  to invest in her business and later issued the dud cheque for repayment of the loan.

    Unuigbe said the cheque was dishonoured when presented for payment because of insufficient funds in the account.

    The accused pleaded not guilty.

    Read also: Court remands 28-year-old for alleged robbery

    Chief Magistrate Peter Ojo granted her N500,000 bail   with two sureties in the like sum.

    He said the sureties, who must be employed, must live within the court’s jurisdiction and show evidence of three years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

    The case continues on January 9.

  • Businesswoman ‘steals’ N1.7m

    A 46-year-old businesswoman, Vivian Onwuka, has been arraigned at before Igbosere Magistrates’ Court, for allegedly stealing N1.7 million realised from diesel sale.

    Prosecutor Abbass Abayomi said the accused committed the offence on August 23, 2017 in Lagos.

    He said the accused conspired with others at large, sold 33, 000 litres of diesel belonging to the complainant, Mr. Abayomi Bakare, and refused to remit the proceeds to the owner’s bank account.

    Abayomi said the diesel was valued at N1.7 million.

    The accused pleaded not guilty.

    Magistrate A. A. Adefulire granted her N500, 000 bail with two sureties in the like sum.

    He said the sureties must be employed, show evidence of three years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government and have their addresses verified.

    Adefulire adjourned till January 16.

  • Businesswoman seeks end to 23-year marriage

    A 42-year-old businesswoman Halimat Yaya, has urged an Agege Customary Court to dissolve her marriage, accusing her husband Ahmed of domestic violence.

    Halimat, a mother of four, yesterday told the court that she was no longer interested in the 23-years marriage.

    Her  husband, Ahmed, 48, however denied her claims.

    The petitioner insisted that there was no more love in their relationship, claiming she had been enduring her husband’s high temperament over time.

    Her husband, she said found fault in everything she does despite their being married for 23-year.

    “l have never enjoyed my marriage and has no rest of mind, nor peace as my husband is temperamental. My husband beats me whenever he feels like. He does not take care of me even when I fall sick, l am tired of the marriage,” she said

    Halimat said life with him has become unbearable, adding: “l want the court to separate us as I have moved out of his house since June last year.”

    Ahmed claimed that he loves and cares for his wife.

    He said each time they moved to a new house, he rented a shop for her close to the place.

    “My wife’s current shop is the third one I rented for her since we got married.

    “I practically made my wife what she is today, maybe she has met someone she thinks is better and wealthier than I am; that is why she wants the marriage dissolved,”

    He denied beating her, saying: “We stay in a face-to-face house, so neighbours can testify to the fact that I don’t beat her. The truth is that my wife no longer finds me worthy of being her husband and I take no offence to that.”

    The court president, Mrs Ibironke Elabor, adjourned till July 31.

  • Woman docked over N2.3m fraud

    Woman docked over N2.3m fraud

    A 60-year-old businesswoman, Christiana Oladipo, on Monday appeared before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos accused of defrauding a woman of N2.3 million.

    Oladipo was arraigned before Magistrate O.J. Awope on charges of obtaining money under false pretence and stealing.

    The accused, who resides at Ayobo area of Lagos, however, pleaded not guilty and was admitted to a bail of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.

    Awope said that the sureties should be gainfully employed and show evidence of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

    The prosecutor, ASP Ezekiel Ayorinde, had told the court the accused committed the offences sometime in November 2017 at Ayobo, Lagos.

    Ayorinde said that the accused fraudulently obtained N2.3 million from the complainant, Mrs Titilayo Olanrewaju, on pretext of selling a Lexus jeep LR 330 to her.

    “The accused, who claimed she was selling cars, showed the complainant some cars on her phone and the complainant made her choice.

    “After negotiation, the complainant paid the money but the accused relocated to Ogun,” he said.

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    Ayorinde said that the accused was arrested through her son.

    “The accused son was seen in a club, he was apprehended and that led to the arrest of the accused,” he said.

    The offences contravened Sections 287 and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    Section 314 stipulates 15 years imprisonment for obtaining money under false pretence.

    The case was adjourned to Jan. 29, for mention.

  • Businesswoman arraigned for ‘defrauding’ police chief of N20m

    A businesswoman, Omirafe Taiwo, who allegedly defrauded a retired Assistant Police Commissioner, Noah Adeosun, of N20 million, has been arraigned at an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.

    Taiwo, 39, whose address is unknown, is facing a four-count charge of conspiracy, fraud, issuance of dud cheque and stealing.

    She denied the charges.

    The prosecutor, Friday Mameh, said the accused and others at large conspired and committed the offences at Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, between April and September 21.

    He alleged that the accused fraudulently obtained N20 million from the complainant under the guise of selling a building to him.

    Mameh alleged that on June 29, the accused issued a dud cheque for N20 million in favour of the complainant.

    According to the prosecutor, when the cheque was presented, it was dishonoured due to insufficient funds.

    The offences contravene sections 287, 314 (1) (2) and 321 (b) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    Counsel to the accused Mr. Jude Ozemoya urged the court to release the accused to him, promising to produce her in court throughout the trial.

    “The accused is my client. I know her well. I will make sure she attends proceedings,” the lawyer said.

    The Magistrate, Olanike Olagbende, cautioned the counsel to ensure the accused is produced in court, threatening to put him in the dock instead.

    She released the accused to Ozemoya and adjourned the case till December 5.

  • Businesswoman faces alleged N3.5m kerosene fraud charge

    A 33-year-old businesswoman, Margret Mpanam, charged with alleged N3.5million kerosene fraud, yesterday appeared at an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.

    She is facing a two-count charge of obtaining under false pretence and stealing, to which she pleaded not guilty.

    Police prosecutor Chinalu Uwadione had told the court that the accused committed the offences on February 25, 2015 in Akoka, Lagos.

    He alleged that the accused obtained N3.5 million from a pastor, Gbenga Ayegbusi, on the pretext of supplying him kerosene by taking the commodity from Warri to Benin.

    “The accused collected N3.5 million from the complainant, promising that she would supply kerosene worth the sum.

    “She, however, absconded with the money,” Uwadione said.

    The offences contravene sections 287 and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    The Magistrate, Mrs. A.S. Okubule, granted the woman bail at N500,000 with two sureties.

    She adjourned the case till November 20.