Abuja – A 36-year-old businessman, David Umekwe, appeared in a Wuse Zone 2 Senior Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday for alleged cheating.
Umekwe, a resident of Lugbe FHA, Abuja, was arraigned on a three-count charge of criminal breach of trust, cheating and forgery.
The Prosecutor, Sgt. Christopher Johnson, told the court that one Sumaila Rabiu of House 39, Efab Esatate, Life Camp, Abuja, reported the matter to the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, in a petition on Dec.15.
Johnson said that Umekwe had deceived the complainant by making him to purchase the plot of land situated at Arab Road, Kubwa, Abuja, on Sept. 4.
He said that the complainant entrusted N2.5 million to the accused for the purchase of the said land.[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”70560″]
The prosecutor said that when the complainant started developing the land, a lady emerged claiming to have paid for the land.
He added that the lady said the land was allocated to her on Aug.15, 2004 and brought out authentic papers to back her claim.
Johnson also said that police investigations revealed that the accused converted the said money to his personal use and forged the land documents he gave to the complainant.
He said the offences contravened Sections 312, 322 and 365 of the Penal Code.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty.
The Senior Magistrate, Teribo Zimzu, granted bail to the accused in the sum of three million naira with a surety that must reside within the court’s jurisdiction.
He adjourned the case till March 9, for hearing. (NAN)
