Solebo of the Special Offences Court, Ikeja, Lagos, on a two-count
charge bordering on possession of fraudulent documents and obtaining
money by false pretence to the tune of $4,500.
One of the counts reads: “That you, Iyonsi Timeyin Timothy , sometime in
September, 2019, in Lagos, within the Ikeja Judicial Division, with
intent to defraud, obtained the sum of $4,500.00 (Four Thousand, Five
Hundred Dollars) from one Julia Zagorski under the false pretense to
wit: “romance scam”, which pretence you knew to be false and committed
an offence contrary to Sections 1 (1) (a)and 1 (3) of the Advance Fee
Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act No: 14 of 2006.”
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges following which
prosecution counsel, K. Uduak, asked the court for a trial date, and for
the defendant be remanded in Nigeria Correctional Service (NCS),
facility.
However, defence counsel, Jolone Ikomi, prayed the court for an
amendment of the charge, so that the defendant could be charged under
the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.” Ikomi also applied
that his client be granted bail.
Justice Solebo granted bail to the defendant in the sum of N500, 000.0
(Five Hundred Thousand Naira), with one surety in like sum. The surety,
the judge said, must be a verified resident within the jurisdiction of
the court. The case was adjourned till March 18, 2020, for commencement
of trial.