Fake court staff docked for alleged N500, 000 frauds

A 43-year-old man, Ayobami Yekini, who allegedly defrauded a woman of N500, 000 on the pretext of securing her husband’s bail, on Thursday appeared in an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court.

The police charged the defendant, whose address was not provided, with impersonation, fraud and theft.

The prosecution said that the offence contravened the provisions of sections 380, 314 and 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The prosecutor, ASP Benson Emuerhi, told the court that the defendant committed the offence sometime in Feb. at No. 1, Showunmi St., Ajuwon, Lagos.

He said that Yekini fraudulently collected the money from the complainant, Mrs Abosede Ademehintoye, with a promise to secure bail for her husband.

He said the defendant paraded himself as a judicial staff; a presentation he knew was false.

The prosecutor said all efforts made by the complainant to get the N500, 000 failed.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Reports state that obtaining money under false pretences is punishable with 15 years imprisonment, while Section 380 stipulates three years imprisonment for impersonation

Chief Magistrate J.A. Adegun admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N100, 000 bails with two sureties in like sum.

Adegun ordered that the sureties must be gainfully employed and show evidence of two years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

The magistrate adjourned the case until Sept. 8 for mention.