Operatives of the Force Criminal Investigation Department, FCID, Annex, Alagbon-Ikoyi, Lagos, have arraigned a man, Samson Onaolapo, before the Federal High Court in Lagos over his alleged involvement in a $7,000 online romance fraud.
Onaolapo appeared on Tuesday before Justice Alexander Owoeye, where he was charged with four counts bordering on conspiracy, impersonation, obtaining money by false pretence and stealing.
According to the police, the defendant, who resides at Association Crescent, Abimbola Awoniyi Estate, Ifako-Ijaiye, Lagos, allegedly posed as an American citizen identified as Scott Spark to deceive two victims, Patti Anna and Linda Morgan.
The prosecution, led by Williams Tijani, told the court that the suspect allegedly used an email address to carry out the scam, through which he obtained and retained the sum of $7,000, knowing the funds were proceeds of unlawful activity.
Tijani also stated that the offences were allegedly committed between 2019 and 2024 and violated provisions of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act (as amended), the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, as well as Section 390 of the Criminal Code Act.
Onaolapo pleaded not guilty to all charges when they were read to him.
Following the plea, the prosecution requested a trial date and asked that the defendant be remanded in custody.
However, defence counsel, Olalekan Ogunbunmi, informed the court that he had only just taken up the brief and sought a short adjournment to enable him to file a formal bail application.
In his ruling, Justice Owoeye adjourned the case to May 27, 2026, for commencement of trial and ordered that the defendant be remanded at a correctional facility pending the hearing and determination of his bail application.
