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LAGOS. — Two suspects have been arraigned at the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja for allegedly conning a United States woman of $64 000 in a romance scam.

Osaze Akhigbe and Ndekwu Jindu appeared before Justice Lawal Akapo on an 11-count charge bordering on conspiracy to obtain goods and money by false pretence.

Operatives of the economic and Financial Crimes Commission arrested the defendants sometime in 2013 based on a petition from one Jolanta K, an American, who alleged that she met Jindu, who introduced himself as a self-employed Caucasian pharmacist, online in June 2012.

Impressed by his profile, the court heard that she fell in love with him, and both agreed to get married.

She further alleged that in the course of the relationship, the defendant at different times hoodwinked her into parting with the money in question.

Count two of the charge reads, “That you, Osaze Akhigbe on or about the 6th of September 2012 at Lagos within the Ikeja Judicial Division with the intent to defraud, obtained a total sum of $1 900 from one Jolanta K through Western Union money transfer under the false pretence that the money represented payment for marriage engagement processes between you and her in Nigeria and which pretence you knew was false”.

The defendants pleaded not guilty.

Justice Akapo adjourned the case to September 21 for hearing of the bail application.

The accused were remanded in custody. — CAJ News.