48-year-old beggar arrested for disappearing with colleagues’ N250,000

A 48-year-old beggar, Aminat Aliyu was today arraigned before an Oshodi Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly disappearing with N250, 000 belonging to one Malam Ya’u Yusuf and 11 of her colleagues. Aliyu, a resident of Carol market in the highly populated Oshodi of Lagos is currently facing a two-court charge of obtaining money under false pretense and stealing.

According to the police prosecutor, Cpl. Kehinde Olatunde, the accused committed the offense sometime between August and October at 17, Araromi Street Oshodi.

Olatunde said Aliyu reportedly obtained N250,000 from her colleagues at Araromi and Cairo markets respectively.

The police prosecutor said the suspect obtained the money under the pretense of helping them to keep it till when they need it.

His words, “The accused collected various sums of money in the name of contribution from the physically challenged beggars.

“The beggars have been contributing money they have been receiving from people from August to October to the accused for safe keep,” he said.

Olatunde said that the suspect eventually claimed ownership and flee with it, stressing that the offence contravened sections 285 and 312 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State, 2012. However, when the charge sheet was read to her in the court, Aliyu pleaded not guilty. Subsequently, the presiding magistrate, Mrs. M.R. Osho-Adebiyi, granted her bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum. She therefore adjourned the suit for further hearing.

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