Property Agent Docked Over Alleged N50m Fraud
A property agent, Emmanuel Adeyemi Sodipo, was on Wednesday, arraigned before a Lagos Chief Magistrate’s Court, Igbosere, on a four count-charge of conspiracy, false presentation and N50 million fraud.
The defendant was arraigned before the court presided over by Magistrate A. O. Alogba, by the men of Forces Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department (Force CIID) Annex, Alagbon-Lagos.
Arraigning defendant today, the prosecutor, Barrister Morufu Animashaun, told the court that the defendant and others now at large on February 18, 2016, falsely presented to the compliant of the alleged fraud that they have a property at 2, Isaiah Close, Magodo Residential Scheme and deceived him to pay the sum of N46 million foe the said property.
The developer and others now at large were also alleged to have fraudulently forced their victim to pay another N4 million, which the claims was to be uses for offsetting a bank loan.
Animashaun told the court that upon receiving the sum of the N50 million from the fraud victim, the defendant and others now at large failed to deliver the property to the complainant and also failed to refund the money.
He also told the court that when the defendant and others now at large reneged in their promised and disappeared to time air, the complainant petitioned the police. Adding that the men of Force CIID, were able to apprehend the defendant.
The prosecutor further told the court that upon the arresting and interrogating the defendant, he admitted commuted the alleged offences and he was subsequently brought to court.
Animashaun told the court that the offences committed by the defendant are contrary to sections 411, 314(1) and 280 (1) of the Criminal Law Cap C17 Vol 3. Laws 0! Lagos State 2015 and punishable under Sections 314 (3) and 287 (3) of the same Criminal Law 2015.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Following his not guilty plea, the presiding magistrate, Mr. Alogba, admitted him to bail in the sum of N250, 000 with two sureties in the like sum.
The magistrate also ordered that each of the sureties must show evidence of three years tax paid to the Lagos state government, means of livelihood and have their addresses verified by the prosecutor.
He further ordered that the traveling passport of the defendant be deposited with the Court’s Deputy Chief Registrar, which must only be released to him upon application with cogent reasons.
Alogba while adjourning the matter till July 31, for mention, ordered that the defendant be remanded in prison custody pending fulfilment of the bail conditions
