A 51-year-old woman, Wasilat Akinade, who allegedly swindled six people to the tune of N 40.2m, has been arraigned before a Tinubu Magistrates’ Court, Lagos Island, Lagos State.

Akinade was arraigned on Friday for allegedly collecting the money under the pretext of helping the victims to secure licences to operate Bureau De Change business from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

She was arraigned before Chief Magistrate O. E. Ogunkanmi on 13 counts of conspiracy, obtaining by false pretences and stealing.

The police prosecutor, Assistant Superintendent of Police, ASP Francis Igbinosa, told the court that the defendant and others now at large conspired among themselves to commit the offence.

He said the offence took place between February and June 2021, in the Lagos Island area of Lagos State.

Igbinosa told the court that on June 28, 2021, the defendant allegedly obtained the sum of N7m from one Kurtis Adigba under the pretext that she would help him secure a licence to operate BDC from the Central Bank of Nigeria.

The prosecutor also said that on the same date, the defendant defrauded one Obomeghie Adam to the tune of N7m under the same pretext.

The prosecutor said the offence was punishable under sections 411, 314 and 280 (1) (a) (b), of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.

However, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The magistrate granted her bail in the sum of N2m with two sureties in like sum.

Magistrate Ogunkanmi ordered that the sureties must depose to affidavit of means, show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government and have their addresses verified.

The case was adjourned till August 28, 2022, for mention.