LAGOS – An estate agent, Oluchukwu Obu, 30, was arraigned on Tuesday in Lagos for allegedly stealing N650,000 belonging to his client.
The accused, who lives at 72 Bajulaiye Road, Somolu, a Lagos suburb, is facing a two-count-charge of conspiracy and stealing before a Somolu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos State.
Obu, however, entered a not-guilty plea.
The prosecutor, ASP Akinlabi Adegoke, told the court that Obu had on July 2 at 3 p.m. at his residence obtained the sum of N650,000 from one Miss Ifeoma Nwafor, an accommodation seeker.
“Nwafor sought the services of Obu whom a mutual friend of hers had formerly introduced to her.
“Obu showed Nwafor the allegedly vacant accommodation along Bajulaiye Road, after which they both agreed upon the rent and the complainant paid on July 2.
“Obu collected N650,000 and absconded leaving the complainant stranded as someone else had occupied the apartment,” Adegoke said.
He submitted that the offences contravened sections 278, 312 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
The Section 312 prescribes seven years’ imprisonment if found guilty of the offence.
The Magistrate, Mrs Bola Osunsanmi, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N300,000 with two sureties in like sum.
She adjourned the case to Nov. 14 for mention. (NAN)