Estate agent docked over N1m fraud

 

A 38-year-old estate agent, Badiru Ayinde, who allegedly duped five people of N1 million on the pretext of procuring a self-contain apartment for them, was on Thursday arraigned in an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court.

The prosecutor, Insp. Victor Eruada said that the accused was arraigned on a 10-count charge bordering on stealing, and obtaining credit under false pretence among others.

Eruada said Ayinde, a resident of Meiran Area of Lagos, committed the offences on April 25, at Agbatikuyo Dopemu, Agage, Lagos.
According to him, the accused collected N255, 000 from Abbas Abba, N150,000 from Omikunle Esther, N210,000 from Akingbohungbe Adebayo.

“He also collected N170, 000 from Ojo Samuel, and N260, 000 from Zubair Mohammed with a promise to procure apartments for them which he never did.
“The accused collected the money and failed to get the apartments as promised, and he converted the money to his personal use.”

The offences contravened Sections 287, 168 and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 287 provides 14 years imprisonment for offenders, while Section 314 stipulates 15 years for obtaining credit by false pretence.
However, the accused pleaded not guilty to the 10-count charge.
The Magistrate, Mrs G. O. Anifowoshe, granted the accused bail in the sum of N500, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

Anifowoshe adjourned the case until July 26, for mention.