Lagos Police Arraign Brothers Over Alleged N17m iPhone Deal Fraud
Kehinde Adeleye
The Lagos State Police Command has arraigned two brothers before the Ikeja Magistrate Court for allegedly obtaining N17,050,000 under false pretence in a failed iPhone transaction.
The defendants, Alao Kunle Emmanuel, 27, and Alao Victor Ifeoluwa, 24, were arraigned on three counts bordering on conspiracy, stealing and obtaining money under false pretence.
The case, marked Charge No. MIK/6/2026, was brought before Magistrate L.A. Owolabi in a matter between the Commissioner of Police and the two defendants.
The prosecutor, SP Josephine Ihkayere, told the court that the alleged offences were committed at about 2am on October 25, 2025, at No. 50, Odejayi Crescent, Surulere, Lagos.
According to the charge sheet approved by the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, Lagos State Ministry of Justice, the brothers allegedly conspired to commit a felony, namely stealing.
The first count alleged that the defendants conspired among themselves to commit felony to wit stealing, contrary to Section 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The second count alleged that they obtained N17,050,000 belonging to one Faruq Bamidele for the purchase of iPhones, but allegedly failed to fulfil the transaction. The count was brought under Section 399 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The third count alleged that the defendants used bank accounts, including an Opay account and a Guaranty Trust Bank account, to fraudulently obtain the money. The charge cited Sections 411 and 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
After the charges were read to them, both defendants pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor did not oppose their bail applications but urged the court to fix a date for hearing to enable the police to establish the allegations.
In his ruling, Magistrate Owolabi granted the defendants bail with two sureties. The sureties are required to provide evidence of means of livelihood and evidence of tax payment.
The magistrate, however, ordered that the defendants be remanded at the Correctional Centre, Kirikiri Town, Lagos, pending the perfection of their bail conditions.
The matter was adjourned for further hearing.
The complainant, Bamidele, had alleged that he transferred N17,050,000 to the defendants for the supply of iPhones, but the phones were not delivered and the money was not refunded.
The police said the defendants would face prosecution in accordance with the law.
The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
