Nigerian Estate Agent Docked For Duping Client Of N5.3 Million

A 53-year-old estate agent, John Odunlami, on Thursday appeared before an Abeokuta Magistrate Court for allegedly duping an accommodation seeker of N5.3 million.

The defendant, whose address was not provided, is facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, fraud and stealing.

Odunlami, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecutor, ASP Olakunle Shonibare, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on Nov. 19, 2018, at the Isabo area in Abeokuta.

Shonibare explained that the defendant conspired with others now at large, collected the sum of N5.3 million from the complainant, Joseph Olusegun, under the pretext of securing an apartment for him in Abeokuta.

He said the complainant, a retiree, who resides in Lagos, was planning to relocate to Abeokuta, adding that the defendant collected the money from the complainant and converted it for his personal use.

He noted that the offences contravened sections 516, 419 and 390(9) of the Criminal Laws of Ogun, 2006.

The Magistrate, Olajumoke Somefun, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N3 million with two sureties in like sum.

Somefun ordered that the sureties must be licenced bondsmen recognised by the Ogun State Judiciary. She adjourned the case until April 25, for hearing.