Five Arraigned Over N40.6m Fraud in Lagos

The Lagos State Police Command has arraigned five people before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court for allegedly forging and stealing N40,604,929,73, from a health company in the state.

The defendants, Martins Isuman 41, Alaran Olayinka 23, Malomo Adeola 36, Falilat Babatunde 42 and Patience Ekere 42, were arraigned before Magistrate Mrs T. A. Ojo, on Thursday.

They are facing five-count bordering on conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence, forgery, stealing and breach of public peace, preferred against them by the police.

The police prosecutor, Supol Francis Igbinosa, told the court that the defendants and others now at large, conspired and committed the alleged offences between January 2019 and July 2022.

Igbinosa said the incident happened at No 19, Jogunomi Street, Gbagada Phase 2, Lagos State.

He said the defendants obtained the sum above, property of Wellness Health Management Company Limited under false pretence of paying the enrollees of National Health Insurance Scheme, a representation they knew to be false.

The prosecutor said, “The five defendants forged documents, a representation they made which aided their fraudulent act of stealing. They also conducted themselves in a manner likely to cause breach of peace.”

According to the prosecutor, the offences committed are punishable under Sections 411, 314, 287 (7), 365 (1) and 168 (d) of the criminal law of Lagos State, 2015.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge against them.

However, Magistrate Ojo granted them bail in the sum of N1.5m each with two sureties each in like sum.

The case was adjourned till October, 12, for mention.