A 22-year-old Lagos resident, Onyekachi Winner Mmerichukwu, is at the centre of a police investigation over an alleged N16.1 million fraud linked to pregnancy-related expenses, following claims that she obtained multiple payments from her fiancé over a period of time for antenatal care, medical treatment, and other related costs.
The case, being handled by the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Lagos Annex, also involves a nurse attached to a private medical facility in the state.
As gathered, the investigation followed a petition by her fiancé, identified as Olajide, who alleged that she claimed to be pregnant and repeatedly obtained money from him for antenatal care, medical treatment, and other pregnancy-related expenses.
According to the petition, a total of N16.1 million was allegedly transferred to the suspect over time based on the pregnancy claim.
The Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the FCID, AIG Simeon Akpanudom, disclosed this during a press briefing on major investigative breakthroughs, operational achievements, and crime-fighting successes recorded between 30 March and 25 June 2026.
Speaking at the briefing on Thursday, he said discreet investigations by the police led to the arrest of the woman and the nurse, as detectives worked to unravel the circumstances surrounding the financial transactions and medical claims.
Akpanudom added that investigators further revealed that the pregnancy was allegedly terminated at about five months’ gestation at a private medical facility in Ajah, Lagos.
He said the procedure was carried out for personal reasons rather than medical necessity, following findings from the ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding the case.
The AIG also noted that efforts are ongoing to arrest the Medical Director of the facility allegedly involved in the procedure, while both suspects are currently in custody at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre as investigations continue.
Reeling out other cases under investigation, he said the FCID is also probing allegations of conspiracy and counterfeiting following a petition from Flawless Cosmetics over the alleged illegal importation and imitation of its trademark product, Baby Secret Cream.
Investigations revealed that a warehouse at Shop 30, Sambisa Area, Balogun Trade Fair Market, Lagos, previously marked in an earlier phase of investigation, was allegedly re-accessed unlawfully, and a substantial quantity of suspected counterfeit products was removed.
The investigating team recovered 331 cartons of counterfeit Baby Secret Cream from a warehouse within the Trade Fair Market area.
He added that some suspected peddlers of the products were arrested and are assisting investigators in tracing additional storage locations, recovering more exhibits, and identifying the fleeing mastermind behind the operation.
Akpanudom further highlighted other significant operational successes recorded by the FCID Annex during the period under review, including cases involving vandalism of telecommunication infrastructure, unlawful possession of firearms, criminal counterfeiting of products, and obtaining by false pretence.
In one of the cases, three male suspects were arrested following credible intelligence on a syndicate specialising in the vandalism and theft of telecommunication infrastructure in the Ayobo area of Alimosho Local Government Area.
The suspects are Ezekiel Omoloye, 46, Olaoluwa Shuwunmi, 44, and Olaleye Kehinde, 41.
Items recovered from them included one locally made pistol, one live cartridge, one Deep Sea electronic memory device, four Riyar solar batteries, six solar modules, one cable cutter, one large wrench, one large iron cutter, and two bundles of rope.
Other recovered items were one tricycle with registration number FST 552 QQ, one Bajaj tricycle with registration number KNN 528 Ogun State, one Toyota Camry (LSD 576 CL), and one Toyota Sienna bus (LSS 599 JN).
According to the AIG, preliminary investigations indicate that the items were used in the vandalism of telecommunication installations and other critical infrastructure across Lagos State.
He added that efforts are ongoing to apprehend fleeing members of the syndicate, while the suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.
The AIG expressed appreciation to the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, for the opportunity to serve, and reaffirmed the FCID’s commitment to people-centred policing, respect for human rights, and the rule of law.
He also commended the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of FCID, DIG Margaret Ochalla, for her guidance and support in strengthening operational effectiveness.
Akpanudom thanked members of the public, sister security agencies, financial institutions, government bodies, the judiciary, and other stakeholders for their cooperation and timely assistance in investigations.
He reiterated the FCID’s commitment to ensuring that all suspects found culpable are diligently prosecuted in courts of competent jurisdiction, adding that it remains focused on protecting critical national infrastructure, combating fraud and economic sabotage, and safeguarding intellectual property rights.
“We urge members of the public to continue supporting the Nigeria Police Force with timely, credible, and actionable information that will assist in preventing and combating crime,” the AIG stated.
According to him, the Nigeria Police Force, under the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, remains committed to professionalism, accountability, and the protection of lives and property.