Adenike Salami, a 41-year-old woman, was brought before the Ebute-Metta Magistrate Court in Lagos State on Friday, facing allegations of forging an airline ticket and illicitly acquiring $2,500. Appearing before Magistrate Waliu Salami, she was charged with three offences: conspiracy, fraud, and forgery, as presented by the police.
The prosecutor informed the court that Salami, in collaboration with others who have not yet been apprehended, was involved in planning and executing the alleged crimes.
“The defendant, Adenike Salami, along with her unidentified accomplices, schemed to forge an airline ticket, which they then used to deceive and defraud the victim,” stated the prosecutor.
The prosecution indicated that the alleged crime took place on June 27, 2024, at around 7:20 PM, at No. 26, Olomowewe Street, Mushin, Lagos. Salami was accused of unlawfully obtaining $2,500, approximately N4.5 million, under deceptive pretences.
It was further alleged that Salami created a fake Taag-Linhas Airline ticket without proper authorization, fully aware of its fraudulent nature.
She is accused of using the counterfeit ticket to swindle Catherine Mbaku, who intended to purchase an airline ticket to Bolivia, by fraudulently obtaining money from her.
“The defendant deliberately deceived the complainant, Catherine Mbaku, into giving up $2,500 by falsely promising to procure an airline ticket, which turned out to be a forgery,” added the prosecutor.
The charges against Salami are said to violate Sections 406, 411, and are punishable under Sections 370(1)(2), and 314(1)(a)(b)(2)(3) of the Lagos State Criminal Laws, 2015.
Salami, however, entered a plea of not guilty to all the charges.
The magistrate set her bail at N500,000, requiring two sureties in the same amount.
“The sureties must provide evidence of stable employment, proof of tax payments to the Lagos State Government, and their addresses must be confirmed,” the magistrate ordered.
The case has been adjourned for further mention on September 20, 2024.
