LAGOS – A 47-year-old estate agent, Babasanya Mayowa, who allegedly defrauded a prospective house buyer of N8.2 million, on Thursday appeared in an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.
Mayowa is standing trial on a two-count charge of conspiracy and fraud.
The prosecutor, Sgt. Babaji Ishaku, told the court that the accused and others still at large committed the offences sometime in October 2012 at Ajewole Street, Igando, Ikotun,a suburb of Lagos.
Ishaku said that the accused conspired with others still at large to obtain N8.2 million from one Yomi John, under the pretext of selling a house to him.
He alleged that the accused knew that the transaction was false but he still went ahead to collect the said amount from John.
Ishaku said that the offence contravened Sections 312 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos, 2011.
Section 312 stipulates that any person who by any false pretence, and with intent to defraud, obtains from any other person, is liable to 15 years imprisonment.
However, the accused pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The counsel to the accused, Mr J. J. Ozemhoya, urged the court to grant bail to his client on liberal terms.
The magistrate, Miss O. A. Fowowe, granted bail to the accused in the sum of N500, 000 with two sureties in like sum.
She said that one of the sureties must be a blood relation of the accused and their addresses must be verified by the court.
Fowowe adjourned the case till Jan. 13, 2015, for mention. (NAN)