Police arraign man over alleged N1.5m land fraud

The Police on Tuesday arraigned a 54-year-old man, Chief Oke Toso, before a Badagry Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos over an alleged N1,500,000 land fraud. The defendant, whose address was not provided, is being charged with fraud, conversion, and breach of peace. He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges. The prosecutor, ASP Edet Ekpo, […]

The Police on Tuesday arraigned a 54-year-old man, Chief Oke Toso, before a Badagry Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos over an alleged N1,500,000 land fraud.

The defendant, whose address was not provided, is being charged with fraud, conversion, and breach of peace. He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The prosecutor, ASP Edet Ekpo, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on Oct. 22, 2011, at about 11am at Ghegetho Compound, Erekiti, Badagry, Lagos.

Ekpo alleged that the defendant fraudulently collected N1,500,000 from the complainant, Mrs. Rashidat Taiwo, under the pretence of purchasing six-and-a-half plots of land for her, which he failed to do. (NAN)

“The defendant stole the money by converting it to his own use without the consent of the complainant. He also conducted himself in a manner likely to cause a breach of the peace by obtaining the money from her through false pretences,” the prosecutor said.

According to him, the offences contravene Sections 314, 287, and 168 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr. Nurudeen Layeni, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum. He added that one of the sureties must be a community leader.

Layeni adjourned the case until March 9 for mention. (NAN)