Woman docked over N.5m fraud

A 36 year-old woman, Rita Alaoma, was today, arraigned before an Igbosere Chief Magistrate’s Court, Lagos, over allege stealing and obtaining the sum of N536, 467.50, under false pretence.

The 38 years old woman was arraigned before the court presided over by Magistrate K. K. Awoyinka (Mrs.), by the men of Force Criminal Intelligence Investigation Department (ForceCIID) Alagbon-Ikoyi, Lagos, on charges of conspiracy, stealing and obtaining under false pretence.

The defendant and others said to be at large, according to the prosecuting Police officer, Barrister Morufu Animashaun, conspired among themselves and committed the offences on June 17, 2017, at 13, Bode Thomas street, Nwachukwu Layout branch of the defunct Diamond Bank Plc.

During the defendant’s arraignment today, Animashaun told the court that she fraudulently obtained the said sum belonging to one Charles Nnemeka Okeke, from one Nneka Ani.

Animashaun told the court that defendant and other now at large, upon fraudulently received the money from Nneka, converted and used same for her personal purposes.

He told the court that the offences committed by the defendant are punishable under sections 411, 314 and 287 of the criminal laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015 and punishable under the same criminal laws.

The defendant upon the reading of the charge to her, pleaded not guilty to the all counts.

Following her not guilty plea, the prosecutor, Animashaun asked the court for a trial date, while also urged the court to remand her in prison custody, pending the conclusion of the case.

Responding to the prosecutor’s application, the defendant counsel, Stephen Ehwa, informed the court that he was not opposed to trial, but told the court to refuse the prosecutor’s remand application.

Ehwa, urged the court to admit his client to bail in the most liberal terms, as the charges against her are bailable ones and that she has credible sureties to stand for her.

Ruling on the parties applications, the presiding Magistrate, Mrs. Awoyinka, admitted her to bail in the sum of N150, 000,00 each with two sureties in the same sum. One of the sureties must be a blood relation to the defendant.

Mrs. Awoyinka, ordered the each of the sureties must present to court evidence of three years tax payment to the Lagos State government, with evidence of means of livelihood.

She also ordered that the bail conditions are to be verified by the prosecutor.

The Magistrate while adjourned the matter till August 16, for mention, ordered that the defendant be remanded in prison custody pending fulfilment of the bail terms.

Count one of the charge reads: “that you Rita Alaoma ‘f‘ and others now a! large. sometimes in 2017 at Diamond Bank Plc. located at No. 31, Bode Thomas Street, Nwachukwu Layout, Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District did conspire amongst yourselves to commit a felony to wit: Obtaining Money by False Pretence and Stealing and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015”.