A 25-year-old tailor named Victoria Effiong has been arraigned in a Lagos State Magistrates’ Court in Iba on Friday, October 4, for allegedly declining to marry a suitor after accepting items valued at N2.8 million from him.
Effiong faces three counts, including breach of peace, cheating, and obtaining by false pretenses.
According to police prosecutor Inspector Chinedu Njoku, the incident occurred on September 25, 2024, at 10 a.m. on Ajanaku Street in Isashi. Njoku stated, “Effiong unlawfully deceived the complainant, Dominic Asuquo, by obtaining N2,866,000 under the pretense of agreeing to marry him, but she failed to follow through.”
The prosecutor further detailed that while dating Asuquo, Effiong received an iPhone worth N240,000, various clothing items, a wristwatch, shoes, and bags valued at N350,000. Additionally, she allegedly received N810,000 in cash from him and daily feeding expenses for seven months, amounting to N868,000.
The situation escalated when Asuquo learned that Effiong was planning to marry another man, even after he had introduced her to his parents, who were aware of their relationship. Njoku also noted, “Effiong withdrew N300,000 from Asuquo’s ATM account for shopping.”
Effiong, who appeared before Magistrate Mrs. O. M. Ogun, pleaded not guilty to the charges. In her defense, she claimed she was not in a relationship with Asuquo and insisted he was aware she was seeing someone else. While she admitted to receiving the iPhone, a smaller phone worth N20,000, cash, and other items, she contended that she had asked Asuquo to stop sending her money as she felt uncomfortable.
The prosecutor stated that the offenses are punishable under Sections 168(1d), 322, and 314(2) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2015.
Magistrate Ogun granted Effiong bail of N200,000 with two sureties in the same amount. One of the sureties must be a blood relative, provide proof of tax payment to the Lagos State Government, and have their address verified.
The case is set to be mentioned again on November 28, 2024.
