Travel agent docked for allegedly extorting N305,000 from 9 women.

The police in Lagos has arraigned Felix Omotayo, 35, at an Ikeja Magistrate’s Court for allegedly obtaining money from nine women under pretence.

The Prosecutor, Insp. Barth Nwokenye, told the court that Omotayo obtained various sums totaling N305,000 from the women with the pretext of sponsoring them on a business trip abroad.

Nwokenye said the defendant obtained the money from the women promising to sponsor them to Tunisia and South Africa for an advertisement scheduled to hold there.

Omotayo is facing a16-count charge of fraud, stealing, illegally obtaining money, before Magistrate T. Elias.

Nwokenye said Omotayo, who claimed to be a travel agent, obtained the sum of N20, 000 from one Folashade Afilaka, N54,000 from one Joy Emmanuel and another N42,000 from one Anita Agu.

He also said the defendant also collected N35.000 each from one Bolarinwa and Oriyomi Jinadu, as well N48,000 from another woman, one Ochayi John.

The prosecutor said the travel agent also illegally obtained the sum of N23,000, N10,000, and N38,000 from Iduhon Osaruyi, Adekeye Abeni and Temitope Adeniyi respectively.

Nwokenye said Omotayo obtained the said amount illegally from the women and diverted it to his personal use.

He said the offence was contrary to and punishable under Sections 419 and 390 (9) of the Criminal code, Laws of Lagos state.

The prosecutor noted that the alleged offence was committed in October 2009, at Ikeja in Lagos.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

In her ruling, Magistrate Elias granted Omotayo bail in the sum N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.

He adjourned the case till Aug. 18 for mention.