PHCN impersonator pleads guilty to N338,000 prepaid meter scam

August 27, 2024

By Adedoja Adesoji

A 34-year-old man, Adeola Ogunmolu, who claims to be an employee of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), pleaded guilty on Tuesday before an Ogudu Magistrates’ Court to charges of fraudulently obtaining N338,000 under the guise of supplying prepaid meters.

Ogunmolu, a resident of the Ifako area in Lagos, admitted to the two charges against him: obtaining money by false pretenses and stealing.

The prosecutor, Inspector Sunday Bassey, informed the court that the defendant fraudulently collected money from two individuals.

According to Bassey, in March, at Ogunsanya Street in Ifako, Gbagada, Ogunmolu obtained N100,000 from the first complainant, Mr. Babatunde Ogunsemowo, promising to supply a prepaid meter for his apartment.

However, Ogunmolu delivered a faulty prepaid meter and then demanded an additional N40,000 from Ogunsemowo to generate a prepaid meter code, which he failed to do.

In another incident, on July 6 and July 8 at Oladipupo Close, the defendant obtained N198,000 from Mrs. Charity Arinze, also under the pretext of supplying a prepaid meter.

Ogunmolu, who falsely claimed to be a PHCN employee, did not provide the meter and instead used the money for personal purposes.

The prosecutor stated that Ogunmolu’s actions violated Sections 287 and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

Magistrate O.A. Daodu ordered the defendant to be remanded in custody and adjourned the case to September 5 for a review of the facts and possible sentencing.

NAN