‘Prophet’ In Court For Alleged N2.5m Car Fraud

A 28-year-old self-acclaimed prophet, Chiweike Michael, was arraigned yesterday in an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly defrauding a woman of a car valued at N2.5 million.

The prosecutor, Sgt. Godwin Awase, said Michael committed the alleged offence on July 25 at Iba, Lagos.

He said the accused fraudulently obtained the car belonging to Mrs Stella Osubor.
“The accused collected the complainant’s car under the pretext of delivering her from death,” Awase said.

The prosecutor said the complainant approached the accused for prayers, the accused told her that God revealed to him that she should sow seed with her car to avert death.

“The complainant, who was introduced to the accused by a friend, gave N55,000 cash and her car valued at N2.5 million with the documents to the accused, as he requested.

“It was when the accused ran away to Anambra State with that car that it became clear the complainant was charmed and duped.

“Efforts made to retrieve her car prove unsuccessful.
“The case was reported and the accused was traced to Anambra and arrested,” the prosecutor said.

The offences contravene sections 287 and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 287 carries three years jail term for stealing, while Section 314 attracts 15 years for obtaining valuables under false pretences.

The accused denied committing the offences.

The Magistrate, Mrs F. F. George, granted bail to the accused in the sum of N250,000 with two sureties in like sum.

She adjourned the matter till October 9 for mention.