KINGSLEY EBERE
Three traders at Computer Village in Ikeja area of Lagos, Chimezie Nnabuonye, 32, Christian Ozoemena ’31’ Francis Uchenna, 20, have been arrested and charged for allegedly stealing N6.7m belonging to one man, Ezulu Christopher, under false pretence.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened on 15th day of April 2024, at about 1700hrs, at Ola-Ayeni Street Computer village, Ikeja.
According to the Police, the suspects approached the complainant and asked him to lend the said money for business transactions with a promise to pay certain interests after the conclusion of the business transaction.
However, after they collected the money from the complainant, they bolted away without returning the money or paying any interest. Rather they disconnected every communication with the complainant.
The matter was reported to the Police at Ikeja Division. The Police operatives moved into action, eventually arrested the suspects and detained them at the station for interrogation over their alleged conduct.
After interrogation, the Police found them culpable and charged them before the Ogba Magistrate Court for the conspiracy, fraud and stealing.
The charges read:
COUNT I: “That you, Chimezie Nnabuonye ‘m’, Christian Ozoemena ‘m’ Francis Uchenna, ‘m’ and others now at large, on the 15th day of April 2024, at Ola-Ayeni Street, Computer village, Ikeja Lagos, in the Ikeja Magisternal District, did conspire with others now at large to commit felony to wit stealing and thereby committed an offence Contrary and punishable under Section 411 of Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2015.”
COUNT II:”That you, Chimezie Nnabuonye ‘m’, Christian Ozoemena ‘m’ Francis Uchenna ‘m’ and others now at large, on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did steal the sum of N6,750,000.00 (six million seven hundred and fifty thousand Naira only) belonging to one Ezulu Christopher ‘m and thereby committed an offence Contrary to section 280 and punishable under Section 287 of Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.”
COUNT III: “That you, Chimezie Nnabuonye ‘m’, Christian Ozoemena ‘m’ Francis Uchenna ‘m’ and others now at large, on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did unlawfully steal the sum of N6,750,000.00 (six million seven hundred and fifty thousand Naira only) belonging to one Ezulu Christopher ‘m’ with the pretence of doing business with it and to pay back with interest and thereby committed an offence Contrary to section 313 and punishable under Section 314 of Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.”
However, they pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Inspector Lucky Ihiehie, asked the Court to give a date for hearing since they pleaded not guilty to enable the Police to prove that they actually committed the alleged offence.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. M.O.Tanimola, granted them bail with sureties, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment while addresses will be verified by the Court.
The matter was adjourned for mention while the defendants were remanded in custody at the correctional center at Kirikiri town, Lagos, pending when they will perfect their bail conditions.
