04/09/2025
Join on W/ Adejumo Adekunle
Real Talk
The Rivers State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe Koko, has warned that collecting transport fare from a man without honoring the visit is a criminal offence that could send offenders to jail.
In a striking example, a Magistrate Court in Lagos slammed a young woman, Jennifer, with a ₦450,000 fine after she pocketed transport money from a man and vanished.
Court records reveal that Jennifer obtained ₦30,000 from Emmanuel, who said he sent the money for her transport fare with the expectation of hosting her. But instead of showing up, Jennifer allegedly disappeared and cut off all contact. Feeling cheated, Emmanuel filed a complaint, branding her actions as fraudulent extortion.
After weighing the evidence, the court declared that Jennifer had engaged in deliberate deception and financial exploitation. The presiding Magistrate stressed that “transport fare fraud” is rapidly becoming a disturbing trend, often amounting to cyber-enabled extortion. The ruling, though unexpected to many, was designed to send a strong message and deter copycats.
Jennifer must now pay the ₦450,000 in damages or face even stiffer legal consequences.
Should cases like this be treated as serious fraud, or are they simply moral lapses blown out of proportion?
Guest: Franca Igwela Esq.
Relationship Expert, Dr. Meremma Ahamefule,
Barrister Asim Adams.
