Man faces N4m fraud charge over unfulfilled marriage promise

By Chinyere Omeire

One 40-year-old Israel Cherechi, who allegedly defrauded a lady to the tune of N4 million under the pretext of marrying her, was on Wednesday brought before an Ejigbo Magistrates’ Court, Lagos  State.

Cherechi, whose residential address was not provided, is standing trial on a three-count charge bordering on fraud and stealing.

The prosecutor, Insp Simon Njue, told the court that the defendant committed the offences sometime in 2018 at Ikotun, Lagos.

He said that the defendant promised to marry one Miss Chineye Nkwocha and swindled her of N4 million.

According to the prosecutor, the defendant took the complainant to Access Bank, Ikotun Branch, under guise of helping her to fill a form to rectify some issues in her account.

He said that the defendant inserted his own phone number in the column where Nkwocha’s phone number was required.

Njue said that the defendant, therefore, received transaction alerts instead of the complainant (Nkwocha) receiving the alerts.

He said the defendant converted the complainant’s N4 million to his personal use.

“Cherechi used the money to rent an apartment and marry another woman,” he said.

According to him, the alleged offences contravene Sections 168(d), 287 and 340 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

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

The Magistrate, Mr E. O. Ogunkanmi, granted him bail in the sum of N1 million with two sureties in like sum.

He ordered that the sureties must be gainfully employed and show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

Ogunkanmi adjourned the case until March 23 for mention. (NAN)