Man faces N150m land fraud charge

A 48-year-old man, Sunday Ajayi, who allegedly obtained N150 million on the pretext of selling a landed property, on Tuesday appeared before a Sabo-Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court, Lagos State.

Ajayi, who has no fixed address, is standing trial on a four-count charge of conspiracy, obtaining by false pretences, fogery and stealing.

He however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecutor, ASP Rita Momah, told the court that Ajayi and some others at large committed the offences in 2018 in Lagos and Ogun states.

Momah alleged that Ajayi fraudulently obtained N150 million from Ladipo Kings Estate, a registered association of Ladipo Market traders.

She said that Ajayi posed as a registered surveyor who had the consent of one Fagbero Family to sell its landed property located at Ado-Ode Local Government Area of Ogun.

She submitted that the association paid N150 million for 304 acres of the land.

The alleged offences contravene Sections 287, 312, 380 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

According to reports, Section 312 provides for 15 years’ imprisonment for obtaining under false pretences, while 287 stipulates three years’ imprisonment for stealing.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Adeola Olatubosun, granted Ajayi bail in the sum of one million Naira with two sureties in like sum.

She directed that the sureties must show evidence of three years’ tax payment to Lagos State Government and have their addresses verified by the court.

Olatubosun adjourned the case until May 24 for mention.