• 41-year-old in court for alleged defilement of toddler •Man arraigned for fraudulently obtaining N615,000 from PoS operator
The Police in Lagos arraigned a 32-year-old man, Simon Jolly, before an Ojo Magistrate’s Court yesterday for fraudulently obtaining N615,000 from a point of sale (POS) operator.
Jolly, whose residential address was not disclosed, is facing trial on a charge of obtaining by false pretence before Magistrate L.K.J. Layeni.
According to the Prosecutor, ASP Simon Uche, Jolly committed the offence on January 8 in the Isashi area of Ojo.
Uche informed the court that Jolly fraudulently obtained N615,000 from POS operator Blessing Joseph by claiming he had mistakenly transferred the amount to her account. The prosecutor further stated that Jolly collected the money, knowing the claim to be false, thus violating Section 314(2) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
Jolly pleaded not guilty to the charge. Magistrate Layeni granted the defendant bail of N300,000 with two sureties in like sum. The case was adjourned until February 10 for mention.
Also, a 41-year-old man, Patrick Onyegbule, was arraigned before a Badagry Chief Magistrate’s Court on charges of defilement and unlawful penetration of a toddler.
The defendant, whose address is unknown, pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge.
The prosecution, led by Inspector Ayodele Adeosun, alleged that the offences occurred between August and November 2024 at Shapview Plaza, Alaba International Market in Ojo, Lagos.
According to the prosecution, the defendant sexually assaulted the toddler who had been left in his care while his wife was temporarily absent from their matrimonial home.
The prosecution argued that the defendant’s actions contravened sections 137 and 261 of the Criminal Code, Law of Lagos State, 2015.
Chief Magistrate Patrick Adekomaiya granted the defendant bail of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum. The sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and be gainfully employed. The trial has been adjourned to March 5.
IN another report, the Lagos State Police Command arrested three men for flogging a woman in a Lagos market.
The suspects, Chinedu Stanley, 47, Chibuike Igboke, 29, and Richard Christopher Jimmy, 27, were filmed beating an employee of Don Maserati Classic Boutique on Lagos Island.
The incident, which occurred on Saturday, was allegedly prompted by accusations that the victim had stolen unspecified goods from her employer. It is claimed that the boutique owner ordered the woman to be flogged as punishment.
An 18-second video of the assault shows the woman, believed to be in her 20s, lying on the ground, pleading as the three men took turns to flog her. The video quickly went viral, drawing the attention of social media users who urged the police to take action.
Following public outcry, the police arrested the three men. The Command confirmed their arrest and stated that efforts are underway to apprehend additional suspects and establish contact with the victim.
Commissioner of Police, Olanrewaju Ishola, praised Nigerians for promptly alerting the authorities and assured that the police remain committed to ensuring the safety and security of all residents and visitors in Lagos State. He also vowed that justice would be served.
The commissioner did not address the role of the boutique owner, who is said to have given the flogging order, but indicated that investigations are ongoing.
In this article