Alleged N28m Fraud: Court Orders Estate Agent’s Arrest

Lawyers walk out of FCT High Court Maitama, recently.

Justice Oluwatoyin
Ipaye of the Ikeja High Court in Lagos has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of an estate agent, Ishola Salawudeen, over an alleged N28 million fraud.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is accusing Salawudeen of defrauding 120 prospective tenants of about N28 million.
Justice Ipaye issued the warrant following Salawudeen’s failure to appear in court for his arraignment. The defendant’s alleged accomplice, Babatunde Harbub, was however, in court.
His absence prompted the judge to order his arrest. Ipaye ordered the police to arrest and produce Salawudeen before the court on the next adjourned date of January 15, 2015 for the arraignment of the defendants.
The EFCC counsel, Mr Ben Ubi, had alleged that the defendant collected various sums of money from accommodation seekers between May and December 2013 in Lagos.
Ubi said he obtained the money from the complainants under the pretence of securing accommodation for them at N0. 59, Oriola Street, Alaperea Ketu, a Lagos suburb.
He listed those swindled by the defendant to include Vincent Anthony, Adebunmi Damola, Rilwan Lawal and Azeez Ogundiran, among others.
Ubi said their offences contravened sections 1(1) and 8 (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act of 2006.
The first defendant is also facing a similar charge before Justice Lateef Lawal-Akapo of an Ikeja High Court where he is facing trial for allegedly defrauding Mr Attah Ocholi of N320,000 under the pretext to helping him secure a two-bedroom apartment.