N2.8m Love Scam: Maga Presses Charges against Girlfriend
A 25-year-old tailor named Victoria Effiong was brought before a Lagos State Magistrates’ Court in Iba, Lagos State, for allegedly taking N2.8 million from a maga and then refusing to marry him.
Effiong is facing three charges: 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 10 a.m. at Ajanaku Street, Isashi.
Njok stated, “Effiong unlawfully cheated the complainant, Dominic Asuquo, by obtaining the sum of N2,866,000 under the pretext of agreeing to marry him, but she failed to follow through.”
The prosecutor further told the court that while the defendant was dating Asuquo, she received an iPhone worth N240,000, different clothes, a wristwatch, shoes, and bags valued at N350,000.
He also said that the complainant gave the defendant a cash sum of N810,000, N4000, daily feeding money for seven months worth N868,000.
“Effiong also withdrew N300,000 from Asuquo’s ATM account for shopping,” Njoku added.
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It was reported that the situation worsened when Asuquo found out that Effiong was planning to marry another man, even though she had previously introduced him to her parents, who were aware of their relationship.
Effiong, however, denied the relationship, claiming Asuquo knew she was dating someone else.
She admitted to receiving the iPhone, a smaller phone worth N20,000, money, and other items but insisted that she had asked Asuquo to stop sending her money because she was uncomfortable with it.
According to the prosecutor, the offences committed are punishable under Sections 168 (1d), 322, and 314 (2) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2015.
However, the defendant, who appeared before Magistrate Mrs O. M. Ogun, pleaded not guilty to the charges against her.
Magistrate Ogun granted her bail in the amount of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum.
“One of the sureties must be a blood relative, show proof of tax payment to the Lagos State Government, and have their address verified,” the magistrate ruled.
The case was adjourned until November 28, 2024, for mention.
