A 25-year-old tailor, Victoria Effiong, has been brought before a Lagos State Magistrates’ Court in Iba for allegedly refusing to marry a man after collecting over N2.8 million from him. Effiong faces charges of breach of peace, cheating, and obtaining money by false pretence.
The police prosecutor, Inspector Chinedu Njoku, told the court that the incident took place on September 25, 2024, at Ajanaku Street, Isashi, Lagos. Njoku explained that Effiong unlawfully obtained the sum of N2,866,000 from the complainant, Dominic Asuquo, under the pretext of agreeing to marry him but failed to fulfill her promise.
“Effiong cheated the complainant by receiving money with the understanding that she would marry him, but she did not follow through,” Njoku said.
The prosecutor further detailed that Effiong, while in a relationship with Asuquo, accepted gifts that included an iPhone worth N240,000, clothes, a wristwatch, shoes, and bags valued at N350,000. Additionally, Asuquo reportedly gave Effiong N810,000 in cash and provided daily feeding money amounting to N868,000 over seven months.
“Effiong also withdrew N300,000 from Asuquo’s ATM for shopping,” Njoku added.
The situation escalated when Asuquo discovered that Effiong was planning to marry another man. This revelation came despite Effiong having introduced Asuquo to her parents earlier, who were aware of their relationship.
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Effiong, however, denied the allegations, claiming that Asuquo knew she was seeing someone else. She admitted to receiving the iPhone, a smaller phone worth N20,000, money, and other items but stated that she had told Asuquo to stop sending her money because she was uncomfortable with the arrangement.
The charges against Effiong are in violation of Sections 168 (1d), 322, and 314 (2) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.
During her arraignment before Magistrate Mrs. O. M. Ogun, Effiong pleaded not guilty to the charges. The magistrate granted her bail in the sum of N200,000, with two sureties in the same amount.
“One of the sureties must be a blood relative, show proof of tax payment to the Lagos State Government, and have their address verified,” Magistrate Ogun ruled.
The case has been adjourned to November 28, 2024, for further mention.