By Felix Kuyinu
Two clergywoman have been arraigned in court for an alleged fraud to the tune of N8,000,000.
The suspects: Folake Olasode and Damilola Aboloyinijo were on Monday arraigned at the Tinubu Magistrates’ Court by the Lagos State Police Command.
Police Prosecutor, ASP Francis Igbinosa, told the court sitting that the duo prepared a fake charm to defraud one Sarah Umeh – the complainant.
Igbinosa said that the defendants are facing prosecution on a five-count charge of felony to wit: stealing, trial by ordeal, assault and conduct to likely cause a breach of peace.
He uttered that the suspects conspired with others at large to commit the offence in July at building No. 7A, Jide Agbalaya Street, Chevy-View, Lekki, Lagos.
The prosecutor read the charge: “That you, Folake Olasode, Damilola Aboloyinjo and others at large on the same date, time and place in the aforesaid Magisterial District did obtain the sum of N8,000,000 from one Sarah Umeh under the pretence that you prepared charms, bather and put incisions on her and her three children for protection, a representative you knew to be false.
“That you, Folake Olasode, Damilola Aboloyinjo and others still at large on the same date, time and place in the aforesaid Magisterial District did unlawfully assaulted one Sarah Umeh and her three children by putting incisions with razor blades on their bodies with representation that you are protecting them from death.
“That you, Folake Olasode, Damilola Aboloyinjo and others at large on the same date and place in the aforesaid Magisterial District did conduct yourselves in a manner likely to cause a breach of the peace by burning charms contained in a calabash in the compound of one Sarah Umeh.”
According to him, the offences committed are punishable under sections 168d, 172, 287, 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.
The suspects pleaded not guilty.
The defence counsel, Moses Enema, prayed the court to grant bail to his clients.
Subsequently, the court agreed on their bail in the sum of N750,000 each with two sureties in like sum.
The Magistrate, Ayoku Gbajumo, ordered that the sureties must showcase a valid proof of means of livelihood and identification.
The matter was adjourned till October 14, 2024.
