A 32-year-old man, Amechi Solomon, was arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrate Court in Lagos over allegations bordering on fraud, forgery, and conduct likely to cause breach of peace.
The defendant was arraigned by the Commissioner of Police on a 3-count charge relating to an alleged fraudulent conversion of N8,700,000 belonging to Pathfinder Consulting.
According to the charge sheet presented in court, the alleged offences were said to have been committed between February and July 2026 within the Ipaja Area, in the Ikeja Magisterial District of Lagos State.
In the first count, the prosecution alleged that Amechi Solomon, within the period of February to July 2026 in Ipaja, fraudulently converted the sum of Eight Million, Seven Hundred Thousand Naira (N8,700,000), property of Pathfinder Consulting, to his own personal use. The offence was said to be punishable under Section 287(7) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.
In the second count, the defendant was accused of forging the email address of Pathfinder Consulting within the same period and location. The prosecution stated that this act is punishable under Section 365(1) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.
The third count stated that the defendant conducted himself in a manner likely to cause breach of peace by forging the email address of Pathfinder Consulting. The charge is said to be punishable under Section 168(d) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.
The prosecutor in the matter was ASP Simeon Njue, who told the court that investigations into the case were carried out by SP Endurance Ovwigbo, the Divisional Police Officer of Ipaja Division, Lagos. The IPO listed on the charge sheet was Inspector R. Ojo of Ipaja Division and the case was marked CR No. 67.
When the charges were read to him before the court, Amechi Solomon pleaded not guilty to all the 3 counts.
The Magistrate, Miss F.R. Ogunkoyede, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N1 million with two sureties in like sum. The Magistrate directed that the sureties must be gainfully employed and must have verifiable addresses within the jurisdiction of the court. The defendant was however, remanded in custody at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre pending the perfection of his bail conditions.
After the bail ruling, the court adjourned the case and fixed 21st October, 2026, as the next date for further mention.
Legal observers in court noted that the charges relate to financial crime and cyber-related offences which the Lagos State Police Command has prioritized in recent months.
Section 287(7) of the Lagos State Criminal Law deals with fraudulent conversion of property. Section 365(1) addresses forgery, while Section 168(d) covers conduct likely to cause breach of peace. A plea of not guilty means the defendant will have the opportunity to defend himself during trial and the prosecution will be required to prove the allegations beyond reasonable doubt.
The arraignment highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies to address cases of fraud and forgery across Lagos. As of the time of filing this report, efforts to reach representatives of Pathfinder Consulting for comments were ongoing.
The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
