The Rivers State Police Command has issued a stern warning, stating that taking transport money from a man with the intent not to go is a criminal offense, a declaration that is now backed by recent court precedents. A statement made on Wednesday, September 3, by SP Grace Iringe-Koko, Police Public Relations Officer, highlights the crime of obtaining money under false pretense.
The PPRO’s statement, which has stirred debate, finds its legal foundation in recent court rulings. A magistrate court recently fined a woman identified as Jennifer, ₦450,000 for allegedly accepting money for transport from a man and failing to show up. She was given an alternative sentence of seven years in jail. The case, which went viral on social media, reportedly fell under Section 419 of the Nigerian Criminal Code, which makes it a felony to obtain money through fraudulent representation.
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Legal experts have weighed in, confirming that while the act of accepting transport money is not a crime, obtaining it under false pretense is. For a criminal charge to be upheld, it must be proven that the person took the money with the intention of defrauding the other party. The severity of the punishment depends on the amount of money involved.
This is not an isolated incident. There are reports of a similar case in Osun state where a woman was fined after she collected ₦3,000 in transport fare and failed to visit her boyfriend. The police and the courts are now treating this behavior as a serious offense, sending a clear message that such acts will no longer be overlooked.
