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.
Mary hawked ‘sachet water’ in Oshodi and peddled the tale that she lost a leg in an accident that killed all passengers, including her parents when she was a teenager.
She 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.
Her story, which went viral attracted sympathy from Nigerians across the world.
Donations poured into her publicised bank account, with about N25m raised.
According to TheNation, her sudden wealth prompted the state government to immediately shelter her to prevent criminals from taking advantage of her.
Just few days ago, a celebrity birthday party was held in her honour featuring many cakes, fanfare, photoshoots, among others.
All was going well for the young lady until the state government discovered on Thursday her father was alive.
Her story later turned out to a fabrication.
Mary, from Kogi state is not an orphan. Her father is alive and she lost her leg at birth.
It was gathered 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.
In his words, He said, “It was discovered that contrary to her claim that her parents died during an accident that left her amputated, it was discovered that her father is very much alive and that she was amputated from birth.
It was also discovered that her presence in Oshodi was staged. Those working with her played on the intelligence of Nigerians to get donations for her.
” It came to light when the people started threatening her. She promised some N500,000 others different amounts and was planning to return to her home state when the information leaked.
“I had to attach some policemen to her to prevent any attack on her when she went to the bank. We suspected those people might follow her but everything went well as they were not seen.
“Presently, the state government is preventing 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.
