Ogunbo Oyindamola, a suspected fraudulent farm investor, has been arrested by operatives of the Force Investigation Department (FID) at the Force Headquarters Annex in Lagos. Oyindamola stands accused of defrauding businessman Michael Ayodeji of N20 million under false pretenses.
Oyindamola, who was charged before a Lagos Magistrate’s Court, allegedly deceived Ayodeji by presenting herself as a farm investor with the promise of establishing a farm settlement on his behalf. According to police reports, after collecting the N20 million, Oyindamola fled without fulfilling her promise.
Ayodeji, after realizing the scam, filed a petition with the Inspector General of Police (IGP), leading to the case being assigned to a specialized team at the FID. Oyindamola was subsequently apprehended at a Lagos hideout.
In court, Oyindamola faces five counts, including obtaining money under false pretenses and theft. Prosecuting counsel, Inspector Gbenga Salami, detailed that the offenses took place between October 2021 and 2022 on Lagos Island. Salami further revealed that Oyindamola and her accomplice, Oyemakinde Ayokunle, attempted to settle the fraud by issuing a N20 million cheque to Ayodeji. However, the cheque was dishonored due to insufficient funds.
Oyindamola is charged under sections 411, 287, 314(a)(b) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, and the Cheques Offences Act Cap D11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN), 2004. She has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Her counsel, N.G. Lawal, requested bail under lenient terms, assuring that Oyindamola would comply with bail conditions. Chief Magistrate M.A. Sonuga granted bail in the sum of N1 million with two sureties in a like amount.
The case has been adjourned until October 23, 2024, for mention. Oyindamola remains in custody at Kirikiri Correctional Facility until her bail conditions are fulfilled.
