Man arraigned in Lagos for alleged N10.2m fraud, impersonation

The police on Thursday arraigned a 31-year-old man, Gabriel Iorlaha, before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly defrauding a company of N10.2 million while posing as its staff.

Iorlaha, who resides in Oworonshoki, Lagos, was arraigned before Magistrate L.A. Owolabi on a four-count charge of conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence, stealing and impersonation.

The prosecutor, SP Josephine Ikhayere, told the court that the defendant, along with others still at large, committed the offences between April 2019 and December 2022 within the Ikeja Magisterial District.

Ikhayere alleged that the defendant conspired with the others to fraudulently obtain N10.2 million belonging to Bodye Beautiful Nigeria, which he subsequently converted to his personal use.

According to her, the offences contravene Sections 411, 314(1)(2)(3), 287(7) and 380(1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 314 prescribes a 14-year jail term for anyone found guilty of fraud, while Section 287(7) provides seven years’ imprisonment for stealing and Section 380(1) stipulates three years’ imprisonment for impersonation.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Owolabi granted him bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum and ordered that one of the sureties must show evidence of tax payment.

The case was adjourned until Oct. 2 for hearing.