NAN-H-32
Pilgrim
By Deborah Akpede
Lagos, July 25, 2017 (NAN) An Ikeja Magistrates’ Court, in Lagos on Tuesday granted two persons: Tawa Salaudeen and Adeniyi Peter, N500, 000 bail for allegedly defrauding three intending pilgrims the sum of N3 million.
Salaudeen, a 40-year-old businesswoman and Peter, a 38-year-old driver, both residents of Otta in Ogun , are standing trial on three charges of conspiracy, fraud and stealing.
The duo, however, entered a `not-guilty’ plea.
The court which gave the ruling, also asked the accused persons to produce two sureties as part of the bail conditions.
The magistrate, Mrs J.O. Awope said the sureties must be gainfully employed and should show evidence of two years’ tax payment to Lagos State Government.
According to the prosecutor, Insp. Ezekiel Ayorinde, the accused persons committed the offences on June 31 at Moricas in Dopemu near Agege, Lagos State.
He said that the accused persons conspired to defraud some intending pilgrims N3 million under the pretext of helping them to process travelling documents for the 2017 Hajj.
“The accused obtained the sum of N3 million from Mr Isaa Kolawole, Jimoh Yinusa and Ramat Owolabi, the complainants,” he said.
“The accused who claimed to be working with the Saudi Embassy disappeared after they had collected the money from their victims.
“However, the arrest of one of them by the police led to the arrest of others,” he said.
The prosecutor said that the offences contravened Sections 287, 314 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 314 stipulates that anyone who commits a fraud is liable to 15 years’ imprisonment.
The case was adjourned until Aug. 4 for mention. (NAN)
DOA/OIF/PAD
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Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Peter Dada