A 34-year-old man from Lagos, Adeola Ogunmolu, pleaded guilty on Tuesday at the Ogudu Magistrates’ Court to charges of fraudulently obtaining N338,000 from two individuals under the pretense of supplying prepaid meters.
Ogunmolu, residing in the Ifako area of Lagos, faced two counts: obtaining by false pretenses and stealing. Prosecutor Insp. Sunday Bassey informed the court that the defendant deceived the victims during separate incidents.
In March, Ogunmolu collected N100,000 from the first complainant, Mr. Babatunde Ogunsemowo, claiming he would supply a prepaid meter for his apartment. However, he provided a faulty meter and later demanded an additional N40,000 to generate a prepaid meter code, which he failed to deliver.
On July 6 and July 8, he similarly obtained N198,000 from Mrs. Charity Arinze under the false claim of being a PHCN employee and promising a prepaid meter, which he did not provide. Instead, he converted the funds for personal use.
The offences contravene Sections 287 and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. Magistrate Mrs. O.A Daodu has since remanded Ogunmolu in custody, with the case adjourned to September 5 for a review of facts and potential sentencing.