Estate Developer Charged Over N54.2m Fraud

An estate developer, Hakeem Olanrewaju, who allegedly defrauded 251 accommodation seekers of N54.2 million has been charged before a Yaba Magistrates Court in Lagos.
Olanrewaju, 40, who resides at No 12a Daniel Makinde Street, Ketu, Lagos, is facing a two court-charge of obtaining under false pretence and stealing, but have pleaded not guilty to the offences.
The prosecutor, ASP Godwin Osuyi, said that Olanrewaju had between August 2012 and July 2013 obtained N54.2 million from 251 house seekers under the guise of letting out some mini-flats to them.
Osuyi said some of the duped accommodation seekers are Abiodum Ishola, Francis Egboro, Taofeek Oyebanji, Ejo Aruete and Evans Okonia.
He said “Olanrewaju who claims to be an estate developer, advertised his intention to let out some mini flats he recently developed at Ajah, Lagos.”
The prosecutor said that the accused allegedly collected the amount from 251 people between the said period in his office at 12B Daniel Makinde Street in Ketu-Lagos.
Osuyi also explained that the accused, after collecting the money, refused to let the house to the complaints, and that the offences contravened sections 278, 285 and 313 of the criminal code laws of Lagos State, 2011.
The trial magistrate,Philips Ojo, granted the accused bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum and the case adjourned for further hearing.