Alleged fraud: Self acclaimed Lagos prince dragged to court

FRANCIS IWUCHUKWU

A 24 year-old Lagos self acclaimed prince, Ayinde Oniru has been sued by detectives from the Department of Criminal Investigation (CID), Lagos Command of the Nigerian Police, Panti,Yaba Lagos.

The prince was dragged before a Chief Magistrates Court sitting in Oyingbo on an eight counts charge that touches on conspiracy, stealing and false representation. Specifically, the CID in the charge alleged that the self-acclaimed prince, his co-accused and others now at large, had sometimes in September 2013, in Surulere, Lagos, conspired to fraudulently obtain the sum of N470,000, from a woman, Adeola Babatunde, under the pretence that they would assist her import some goods from abroad.

The self-acclaimed Lagos prince and his accomplice were also charged for obtaining some goods valued at N3.5 million, by fraud, between March and May, 2014, from one Princess Adeola M. Adeleke, under the pretence that
such goods would be delivered to a Lagos monarch, Oba Saheed Ademola Elegunshi.

The police also alleged that some of the items obtained from the victims include: some notebooks, one I-phone 5, one Ipad tablet, assorted wrist watches, gold jewelry and cash sum to the tune of N250,000,00.

The defendants were also alleged to have fraudulently obtained a total sum of N500,000,00, from one Jelili Elias under the pretence that they would help him to buy a landed property at Lekki, Lagos.

The prince was also alleged to have falsely presented himself to a branch of Diamond Bank, as one Adeniyi Elegunsi. According to the prosecutor, the alleged offences offends
Sections 409, 311(1)(a),285(1), and 378(1) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.

Part of the charge reads: "That you Ayinde Oniru, Adekunle Usman and others now at large, between March and May 2014, at the aforesaid magisterial district, did obtained the following properties; one Asus notebook, one IPad tablet, assorted wrist watches, gold jewelry, and cash sum of N250,000, total value being N3.500,000, properties of one Princess Adeola M. Adeleke under the pretence that you would deliver same to His Royal Majesty, Oba Saheed Ademola Elegunshi, a representation you know to be false, and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 311(1)(a) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011."

But the defendants who were arraigned before Magistrate F. I. Adefioye pleaded not guilty to all the charges leading to the court admitted them to bail in the sum of N500,000, with two sureties in like sum.

The Magistrate adjourned the matter till August 4, 2014 for mention.