A woman, Tina Aguocha, who allegedly obtained N1.6 million under the pretext of facilitating an adoption process, on Thursday appeared before a Surulere Chief Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.

Aguocha, 43, who resides at No. 3, Sarim St., Itire, Surulere, Lagos, is facing trial on a charge of obtaining by false pretences.

The Prosecutor, Inspector Sadiq Adewale, told the court that Aguocha committed the offence on May 17, 2023, at No.13, Alubarika St., Ijeshatedo Surulere, Lagos.

He said that Aguocha falsely presented herself as a midwife who worked at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital.

According to him, Aguocha used her position to fraudulently obtain the sum of N1.6 million from one Ignatus Chidiebere, under the guise of helping him to adopt a child from an orphanage in Lagos.

The prosecutor said the defendant assured the complainant that she could facilitate an adoption process from any orphanage in Lagos, adding that she had done it for other people.

The prosecutor added that when the process failed, the defendant could not refund any money.

Mr Adewale said that the offence contravened section 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge

The Magistrate, Ganiyu Tiamiyu, granted Aguocha bail in the sum of N500,000 with two responsible sureties in like sum.

Mr Tiamiyu adjourned the case until January 9 for substantive trial.

(NAN)