By NAN
Three property agents, Ishaku Kantogora, Zainab Ibrahim and Ibrahim Isu, on Thursday appeared in an FCT Chief Magistrates’ Court in Karu charged with a N35 million land fraud.
They were arraigned by the police before Chief Magistrate Hadiza Shagari on a three-count charge of criminal conspiracy, forgery and cheating, which they denied.
The prosecutor, Sgt. Samuel Bulus, told the court that the accused persons were arrested on Nov. 20 based a petition written by one, Bello Salisu to the FCT Commissioner of Police.
Bulus alleged that the complainant had approached the accused persons, who are property agents in Abuja, to help him purchase a plot of land within the FCT.
He said the accused persons introduced the complainant to one, Hajiya Jummai Amodu, who claimed to be overseeing the sale of a plot of land in Gwarimpa on behalf of her client.
According to him, the complainant paid Amodu N35 million being the bargained cost of the land and all the relevant documents were handed over to him.
“The complainant also paid the sum of N930,000 to the accused persons as their agent fee since they were his link to Amodu.
“However, it was later discovered that the documents given to Salisu were forged by the accused persons and Amodu who is now at large,’’ he said.
Bulus said the offence contravened sections 97, 364 and 322 of the Penal Code.
If found guilty of all the charges, each of the accused persons risks an aggregate prison term that might extend to 17 years with an option of fine or both.
The magistrate, however, admitted them to bail in the sum of N200,000 each with a reliable surety in like sum who must be resident within the jurisdiction of the court.
The case was adjourned to Dec. 10 for continuation of hearing.
