Man, 47, allegedly swindles lover’s friends

A 47-year-old man, Taiwo Oluyemi, was on Friday arraigned in an Ogudu Magistrate’s Court, Lagos, for allegedly obtaining the sum of N410,000 from two females to process travel documents for them.

Oluyemi is charged with obtaining under false pretence and stealing, he, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The prosecutor, Insp Sunday Bassey, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on May 11, at Oluwapo Street, Alapere, Lagos.

Bassey said the defendant obtained the sum of N40,000 from one Seun Giwa, a complainant, under the false pretence of assisting her get police clearance to enable her to travel out of the country.

He said the defendant also obtained the sum of N370,000 from another complainant, Juliet Onakhinor, under false pretence of assisting her to get a U.S Visa and other travelling documents.

Bassey said the defendant had, before then, been making marriage advances at one Folashade Owoeye, a friend to the two complainants, who then introduced them to him for assistance.

“The defendant had told Folashade that he would take her abroad and he needed someone that could sew clothes and make hair that he could take abroad for business.

“That was how the complainants were introduced to the defendant by their friend, unknown to them that he was a pretender who was out to defraud them,” the prosecutor said.

The offences, he said, are punishable under Sections 287 and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The Magistrate, Mrs M.O Tanimola, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N100,000, with two sureties in like sum.

She adjourned the matter till Aug. 12, for further hearing.