By Edith Onions
The Police Force Intelligence Bureau (FIB) Headquarters Annex, Lagos has arraigned a 43 years old man, Adeniyi Adewunmi, who allegedly obtained a whooping sum of N190 million from a businessman, Lawrence Alabi, to cure him of diabetes, asthma and spiritual attack.
According to the prosecuting sergeant, Friday Mameh, the defendant and his alleged accomplices who were reported to be on their heels committed the offences between February 2016 and January 2018 at Ajao Estate area of Lagos State.
Mameh disclosed that the defendant approached the complainant offering to help speed up his recuperation from the aliments – diabetes, asthma and spiritual attack which the latter fell for not knowing it was an attempt of fraud.
According to him, the complainant believed them as he was truly suffering from those ailments. He added that the defendants then persuaded the complainant that they could cure his aliments with herbs for a fee.
Report has it that the treatment fee became more expensive and continued for several months which required Alabi to travel to Ekiti for payments enablement. “The sum eventually turned up to N190 million yet, the aliments failed to be subsided,” Akanbi complained.
It was garnered that the gang disappeared when they realised that their victim was becoming suspicious of their fraudulent acts. However, sometime last week, the police officer explained that the defendants returned to Akanbi, requesting for more money, but Akanbi grabbed them and raised alarm while the police was called.
Adewunmi was prosecuted and charged to court for trials before chief magistrate F.O Botoku on three count charges of conspiracy, fraud and stealing, which contravenes section 287, 314 and 411 of criminal law of Lagos state 2015.
The defendant pleaded not guilty while the magistrate Botoku granted him N20 million bail with two sureties in the like sum.
She remanded Adewunmi in prison custody pending the fulfillment of the bail conditions, as the case continues on February 12 2018.
