Police have arraigned a socialite, Ajisola Oluwatobi, known as “Bella Gbogbolowo” on TikTok, before an Ogba Chief Magistrate’s Court, Lagos, on alleged charges of fraud, faking the birth of twins, and conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace.
The defendant was arraigned on three counts of charges before Magistrate Lateef Owolabi.
At the arraignment, Inspector Oluwasegun Dada announced his appearance as the prosecutor. Barrister Ademola Adefolaju appeared for the nominal complainant, while the defendant was represented by Barrister Emmanuel Apasobi.
The prosecutor, Inspector Dada, while arraigning the defendant, told the court that she committed the offences between August 2023 and July 2024.
He further told the court that the defendant committed the offences at her residence located at 17, Kayode Oduba Drive, Thomas Estate, Ajah, Lagos.
Precisely, the prosecutor informed the court that the defendant defrauded the nominal complainant, Emmanuel Olofinjana, who is a traditional chief, of the sum of N6.3m on the pretext of giving birth to twins for him.
The defendant’s illegal acts, according to the prosecutor, contravened sections 168(f), 314(1)(2) and 323(1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos, 2015.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
In view of the plea, the defendant’s lawyer, Apasobi, pleaded with the court to grant her bail in the most liberal terms.
In his ruling, Magistrate Lateef Owolabi admitted bail to the defendant in the sum of N400,000 with two sureties in like sum.
The magistrate ordered that one of the sureties must be a family member while the other a Civil Servant. Adding that the two sureties must provide evidence of tax payments to the Lagos State Government as well as verified addresses.
The matter has been adjourned to July 29 for trial.
Charges Against The Defendant Read:
“That you, Ajisola Oluwatobi ‘f, in the month of August 2023 to July 2024 at No. 17, Kayode Oduba Drive, Thomas Estate, Ajah, Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did defraud one Olofinjana Emmanuel ‘m’ of the sum of N6,300,000.00 (Six Million, Three Hundred Thousand Naira) and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 314(1)(2) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.
“That you, Ajisola Oluwatobi ‘f, on the same date, time and place in the aforesaid Magisterial District, did trick one Olofinjana Emmanuel ‘m’ of the sum of N6,300,000.00 (Six Million, Three Hundred Thousand Naira) and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 323(1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.
“That you, Ajisola Oluwatobi ‘f, on the 9th day of July 2024, at the above-mentioned address, in the aforesaid Magisterial District, did conduct yourself in a manner likely to cause the breach of peace by deceiving one Olofinjana Emmanuel ‘m’ by telling him that you have given birth to twins for him, knowing fully well it is false and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 168(f) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”
