Two arraigned for cloning Ambode’s phone number

—MRS. Adetola Adedayo of a Lagos magistrate’s court sitting at Isolo, yesterday, remanded two suspected fraudsters, who were arrested recently by Department of State Service, DSS, for allegedly cloning the phone number of Lagos State governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Abode.

The defendants, Rilwanu Jamiu and Balogun Stanley Oyewole, reside at 10, Giwa Street, Off Oka Akoko Street, Lagos and 65, Unity Street, Ikotun, respectively.
The duo is facing a two-count charge bordering on fraud by the state government.

Jamiu, Oyewole and others, who are still at large, were alleged to have conspired to commit felony by obtaining on false pretence, February 10, 2016, about 10:02a.m., within Lagos magisterial district.
Suspects: Rilwanu Jamiu and Balogun Oyewole
Suspects: Rilwanu Jamiu and Balogun Oyewole

Count two of the charge preferred against them read: “That you Rilwanu Jamiu, Balogun Oyewole of the above addresses and others at large, on above date, time and place fraudulently cloned the Glo line number of His Excellency, the governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, with intent to induce him by false pretence and used the Glo line to send a text message for the transfer of the sum of N50million and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 312 (2) and (3) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State.”

Also docked with the defendants is one Aderemi Bello, who was charged with impersonation and fraud.

Bello was alleged to have fraudulently collected the sum of N485, 000, from one Isaac Ademola Fowowe, for procurement of USA citizenship passport application.
All the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecuting counsel, Peter Okerinmodun, urged the court to remand the defendants, who were not represented by counsel in prison custody due to sensitivity of the case. Okerinmodun told the court that some of the accomplices of the defendants were still at large and releasing the defendants could jeopardise the trial and the evidence.