2 docked for cheating lotto operator

The gavel of justice

Two men, Ahmed Lawal and Wale Balogun, who allegedly cheated a lotto operator of N139,600, on Wednesday appeared before an Ogudu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.

Lawal, 25, and Balogun, 23, both residents of New Garage, Ifako- Gbagada, Lagos, pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy and cheating.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Sgt. Lucky Ihiehie, told the court that the offences were committed on Nov. 26 at Adio St., New Garage in Ifako -Gbagada, Lagos.

He said that the complainant, who operates a lotto center on Adio Street in the Ifako-Gbagada environs, reported the incident at the Ifako Police Station.

“He reported that Lawal, who works for him as a cashier in his betting center, played a game at the rate of N54,600 for Balogun, a customer, and didn’t remit the money.

“The complainant tried every possible means to collect the money from his cashier, who played the game without his consent and the customer but it proved abortive.

Ihiehie told the court that Balogun previously owed the complainant N50, 000 for a game he played over five months ago, while Lawal had also defaulted in paying back N35, 000 he had earlier borrowed.

The prosecutor said the complainant had sacked Lawal six months ago because of his debt but barely a month after he was reinstated, the accused committed the offence.

According to Ihiehie, Lawal owed the complainant a total of N89, 600, while Balogun was indebted to him to the tune of N50, 000.

The offences, the prosecutor said, contravened Sections 409 and 321 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

Ihiehie, however, told the court that the relatives of the accused were in court and were desirous of a settlement, out of court.

The Magistrate, Mrs. O. Sule-Amzat said that in view of a likely settlement, the case was adjourned to Dec. 7 for a report on the process of settlement.