A Water sales manager has been remanded for allegedly defrauding 10 customers of N20.3 million in a fraudulent water supply scheme
[dropcap]A[/dropcap] sales manager with CWAY Water, Issa Solomon Soliu, 39, has been remanded in custody for allegedly defrauding 10 customers of N20.3 million in a fraudulent water supply scheme.
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The case came to light after multiple customers, who had paid substantial amounts for water deliveries, failed to receive their orders.
Repeated calls to Soliu’s phone went unanswered, prompting the victims to seek police intervention.
Following a petition to the Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG Adegoke Fayoade, a special team led by SP Chidi Okoye launched an intensive search.
The investigation led to Soliu’s arrest at a hideout in Lagos, after which he was taken into custody.
Police reports revealed that the suspect allegedly collected varying sums from his victims.
The amounts included N910,000 each from Mrs Titilayo Erogbogbo, Mrs Rashidat Akeso, Hakeem Ogunlaja, and Mrs Ajala Kehinde Omolara.
Other victims such as Mrs Toy Anu Sanni and Mr Ezeorah Chukwuka lost N1,820,000 each, while Mrs Oluremilekun Ogunniyi paid N2,015,000.
Additional defrauded customers include Mrs Folashade Oginni (N1,115,000), Mr Ademola Oyewole (N910,000), and Mrs Omowunmi Ibiwoye (N135,000).
Soliu was arraigned before the Igbosere Magistrate’s Court at Tinubu on 21 counts of conspiracy, obtaining money under false pretence, and theft.
Police prosecutor Rueben Solomon, representing ASP Haruna Ibrahim, stated that the offences were committed in November 2024 in Ikorodu, Lagos.
The case, marked P/21/2025, falls under Sections 411, 314(2), and 287(5)(a) of the Lagos State Criminal Law, 2015.
Although Soliu pleaded not guilty, Magistrate M.A. Wahab granted him bail set at N3 million with two sureties in like sum.
Until he meets his bail conditions, he will remain in custody at the Ikoyi Correctional Facility.
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Authorities are using this case to reinforce their crackdown on financial fraud, urging the public to be cautious when making large transactions.
Quadri Olaitan is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
