A 25-year-old tailor, Victoria Effiong, was brought before the Lagos State Magistrates’ Court in Iba on Friday, accused of refusing to marry a suitor after receiving N2.8 million from him.
Effiong faces three charges, including breach of peace, cheating, and obtaining money under false pretenses.
According to the police prosecutor, Inspector Chinedu Njoku, the incident took place on September 25, 2024, at 10 a.m. on Ajanaku Street, Isashi. Njoku stated, “Effiong fraudulently obtained N2,866,000 from the complainant, Dominic Asuquo, under the guise of agreeing to marry him, but failed to do so.”
The prosecutor added that while Effiong was dating Asuquo, she accepted an iPhone worth N240,000, along with various clothes, a wristwatch, shoes, and bags valued at N350,000.
Additionally, Asuquo reportedly gave Effiong N810,000 in cash, along with N4,000 per day for seven months, amounting to N868,000 for daily feeding expenses. Njoku further noted that Effiong withdrew N300,000 from Asuquo’s ATM account for shopping.
Tensions escalated when Asuquo discovered that Effiong was planning to marry another man, despite previously introducing him to her parents, who were aware of their relationship.
Effiong denied any relationship with Asuquo, claiming he knew she was involved with someone else. While she admitted to receiving the iPhone, a smaller phone worth N20,000, money, and other items, she insisted that she had asked Asuquo to stop sending money as it made her uncomfortable.
The prosecutor said the offences fall under Sections 168(1d), 322, and 314(2) of the Lagos State Criminal Laws of 2015.
Effiong, who was arraigned before Magistrate Mrs. O. M. Ogun, pleaded not guilty to the charges. Magistrate Ogun granted her bail at N200,000 with two sureties in the same amount. One surety must be a blood relative, provide proof of tax payment to the Lagos State Government, and have their address verified.
The case was adjourned until November 28, 2024, for further mention.
