FAKE MONARCH ARRAIGNED FOR DEFRAUDING WOMAN OF 15MILLION NAIRA

Lagos—A 27-year-old man, Salami Oluwatobi, who allegedly impersonated Oba Rilwan Akiolu of Lagos and defrauded a woman of N15 million, under the disguise of helping her secure a slot at the Lekki Free Airport Investment, was, yesterday, arraigned before an Ebute-Meta Chief Magistrate's court, Lagos.

The defendant is facing a three count charge of conspiracy, impersonation and fraud preferred against him by the Police.

The prosecutor, Inspector Adebayo Oladede, told the court that the defendant, and others still at large, committed the offence sometime in August 2016, at 8, Olokonla Street, along Ajah, in Ibeju Lekki area of Lagos.

Naira

Oladede also alleged that the defendant fraudulently obtained N15 million from one Moriselade Ajoke, under the pretence of assisting her to secure a slot in the proposed Lekki Free Airport Investment.

According to him, "the defendant falsely presented himself to the complainant as the Oba of Lagos, Oba Akiolu, who is entrusted with the said proposed Lekki Airport Investment; the defendant dishonestly stole the said sum from the complainant."

The offences, according to the prosecutor, is punishable under Sections 409, 312 and 380(1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, as amended.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

In the view of the defendant's plea, his lawyer, Mr. Bright Eboigbe, pleaded with the court to admit him to bail in the most liberal terms.

The presiding magistrate, Chief Magistrate A. O. Ajibade, granted him N2 million bail with two sureties in like sum.

She also ordered that the sureties must be gainfully employed in a reputable organisation and must show evidence of three years tax payment to the Lagos State government.

Magistrate Ajibade also ordered that the addresses of the sureties must be verified by the prosecutor.