A 31-year-old man, Ijasanmi Baji Sunday, has been arrested and charged before a Lagos Magistrate Court for allegedly defrauding a woman of ₦7 million under the false pretence of selling her two luxury vehicles.
The incident reportedly took place on 24 October 2024 at Babayanju Street, Mafoluku, Oshodi, Lagos.
According to the Police, the suspect contacted the complainant, Grace Okwumabua, claiming he had two RX350 Lexus SUVs for sale at a price far below market value.
The actual market price of the SUVs was said to be around ₦30 million, but the suspect allegedly offered them to Grace at a heavily discounted rate, convincing her to pay ₦7 million.
Trusting his offer, she paid the money only to be left high and dry.
After receiving the money, Ijasanmi allegedly vanished and cut off all communication.
The promised vehicles were never delivered.
Realising she had been duped, the complainant reported the matter to the Commissioner of Police Special Squad in Ikeja.
Officers immediately swung into action and were able to track down and arrest the suspect.
During interrogation, Ijasanmi reportedly admitted to collecting the money, claiming that he had already spent it and was unable to refund it.
He was found culpable and subsequently charged before the Ogba Magistrate Court on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence, and stealing; offences that attract several years of imprisonment under Lagos State laws.
The first charge reads:
“That you, Ijasanmi Baji Sunday ‘m’ and others now at large, on the 24th day of October 2024 at about 1230hrs, at Babayanju Street, Mafoluku Oshodi Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did conspire amongst yourselves to commit felony to wit: obtaining money by false pretence, stealing, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.”
The second and third counts accused him of obtaining the ₦7 million under false pretence and stealing the same amount.
Theses offences are punishable under Sections 314 and 287 of the Lagos State Criminal Law, 2015.
However, the defendant pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Supol Phillip Ademigbuji, asked the Court to set a date for hearing to enable the Police to prove the allegations against the defendant.
