The Lagos Government has frozen the bank account of an amputee Mary Daniel, after it was discovered she lied to the public to raise N25 million in donations.
Daniel became a sensation weeks ago after pictures of her selling water at Oshodi emerged on social media and attracted sympathy from Nigerians across the world.
Daniel, in an interview, claimed she was an orphan with a baby and an aged grandmother to fend for.
She narrated how life dealt her several blows and she had to drop out of school and hit the streets to make ends meet.
She claimed she was an orphan with a baby and an aged grandmother to fend for.
Daniels’ viral story on social media had elicited global sympathy and concern from Nigerians.
Donations poured into her publicised bank account, with about N25m raised.
But her story later turned out to a fabrication.
Daniel, it was gathered, was receiving strange calls from those who staged her story with threats to reveal the truth unless she gave them their share of the money.
It was learnt Sanwo-Olu handed her over to officials of welfare in the presence of the police and some Kogi leaders, who attested her father was alive.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu immediately handed her over to officials of the social welfare for investigation following revelations she lied.
Commissioner of Police Hakeem Odumosu said the state government has prevented her from accessing the money.
“The government does not want a situation where it will become a trend for people to cook up stories, manipulate the people to get donations,” Odumosu explained.
