Developer dupes house seekers of N44.089m, faces 169 counts

The 45-year-old developer was said to have been recently picked up from his hide-out by men of the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence (FCIID), Alagbon, Ikoyi-Lagos after jumping bail upon his arraignment for defrauding several accommodation seekers. More than 200 victims were said to have petitioned the police over the developer’s alleged nefarious conducts. The developer, who also bears Tunde, was re-arraigned today on a 169-count charge, bordering on conspiracy and obtaining under false pretence with intent to defraud. He however pleaded not guilty to the charge. Following his plea, police prosecutor, Inspector Uwadione Chinalu, urged the magistrate to ensure that stringent conditions are attached to any bail to be granted the accused person owing to his negative antecedents. The prosecutor alleged that a magistrate at the Lagos Division of the court in Igbosere had earlier issued bench warrant against the defendant after he jumped bail for similar offences. The accused person was subsequently admitted to bail by Chief Magistrate Adelaja in the sum of N3 million with three sureties. According to the magistrate, the three sureties, one of which must be a civil servant on Grade Level 15 in the state civil service, are to deposit N1 million each to the account of the Chief Registrar of the State High Court. Chief Magistrate Adelaja also directed them to take a photograph of their houses and submit the Certificate of Occupancy of the said property to court pending the determination of the suit. The sureties are to show evidence of three years tax payment to the Lagos State Government and also swear to an affidavit of being gainfully employed by a reputable firm. The sureties were also ordered to produce either their international passport, Driver’s licence, Voter’s card or National Identity Card, which reflects their current residential addresses. The police in a charge marked, ID/98/2017, alleged that the developer and others now at large, had between June 2016 and May 2017, used different structures located at Iponri, Aguda and Coker areas of Surulere, Lagos, to defraud their victims. Names of some of the victims are Eddy Diamond; Egbede Cyril; Jude Aluka; Mama Marta; Adepitan Modupe; Lekan Tijani; Lucia Oshiozu Oshioma; Emmanuel Ekadi; Michael Sodimu; Emmanuel Chinnoye and 158 others. The offences were said to be the contrary to and punishable under Sections 411 and 314(a)(b) and (2) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015. The matter has been adjourned to December 6 for mention.]]>