Operatives of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Annex, Alagbon-Ikoyi, Lagos, have arrested and arraigned Samson Onaolapo before the Federal High Court, Lagos, over his alleged involvement in a $7,000 online romance scam.
Onaolapo appeared before Justice Alexander Owoeye on Tuesday, facing a four-count charge of conspiracy, impersonation, obtaining money by false pretence, and stealing.
According to the prosecution, the suspect allegedly posed as an American citizen named Scott Spark to defraud two victims, Patti Anna and Linda Morgan.
It was reported that he used an email address to carry out the scam and retained the sum, knowing it was obtained unlawfully.
Related News:
Rivers Police Officer Arrested for Shooting Colleagues
Five Arrested as Police Uncover Alleged Baby Factory in Ekiti
The offences were said to have occurred between 2019 and 2024, violating the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, and Section 390 of the Criminal Code Act.
Onaolapo pleaded not guilty to all charges. While the prosecution requested that he be remanded in custody pending trial, defence counsel Olalekan Ogunbunmi, who recently took over the case, asked for a short adjournment to file a formal bail application.
Justice Owoeye adjourned the trial to May 27, 2026, and ordered that the defendant be remanded in a correctional facility pending the hearing of his bail application.