A 40-year-old estate agent, Olasukanmi Adebanjo, has been docked in an Ogudu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly swindling two accommodation seekers of N4 million.
The Nigeria Police charged the suspects, who lives in Magodo phase II, Lagos, with fraud and theft on Friday.
He pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Prosecution Counsel, Inspector Sunday Bassey, told the court that the defendant committed the offence in January 2021 at Ogba, Ikeja, Lagos State.
Bassey said that defendant obtained N2 million from Adejoke Oladipupo on the pretence of paying a year’s rent to a landlady.
He said the defendant, who failed to lease out the apartment to the complainant, went ahead and leased the same apartment to another complainant, Mariam Odunaye.
The prosecutor said the offence contravened the provisions of sections 287 and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Section 287 prescribes three years jail term for stealing, while Section 314 attracts 15 years for obtaining under false pretences.
The Magistrate, O. A. Daodu, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N1 million with two sureties in like sum.
Daodu said the surety must be gainfully employed and show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State government.
She adjourned the case until November 7, 2022 for mention.