SFU declares former deputy governor of Lagos State wanted over N130m fraud

The Special Fraud Unit(SFU), Milverton, Ikoyi, Lagos State, has arrested former deputy governor of Lagos State, Alhaja Sinatu Aderoju Ojikutu and her son, Samson Ojikutu Junior over a case of allegedly obtaining the sum of N130 million by false representation.

The woman was said to have been arrested over the alleged fraud, but later granted bail. Since the bail however, she had not been seen nor reported to SFU as she was supposed to do.

SFU spokesperson, Ngozi Isintume-Agu, explained that on the Unit received a petition from the Deputy Inspector General of Police(DIG), in charge ‘D’ Department, alleging that in September, 2011, the suspects conspired and sold a parcel of land known as Plot 24 Block 4 situated at Admiralty Way, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos for the sum of N130 million to him.

According to the petitioner, he paid the money into the first Mrs. Ojikutu’s account with the Union Bank in tranches. 

He further stated that after payment, he requested for title document and Mrs. Ojikutu procured an affidavit of support to back her fraudulent claim.

Isintume-Agu added: “A police crime extract and a publication in the Vanguard Newspaper of 18^th October 2011, all purporting to evidence loss of the original documents of title to the land.  The Petitioner believed her because of her personality as the former Deputy Governor of Lagos State.

“The bubble burst when the complainant commenced development on the land and was on the verge of completion when the bona fide owner of the land surfaced. Indeed it was discovered that the land the suspect sold does not belong to her.  She actually sold Plot 23 Block 4, while Plot 24 Block 4 already has a property on it.

“Investigation revealed that the land she sold did not belong to her. The land belonged to one Mr. Afolabi.  It was also discovered that the Plot 24 Block 4, which actually belonged to Late Samson Adebisi Ojikutu Snr, the suspect’s husband, who died in 2008 was sold by him in 1995 and the suspect was a life witness and appended her signature to the sale of the land.” 

According to Isintume-Agu, the suspect further perpetrated the crime by alleging that the original CofO to the property was missing and swore an affidavit which enabled her obtained a Police Report and Memorandum of Loss.  She also put up an advert in newspapers that the original CofO was lost whereas the original CofO is with the Hallmark Homes, the buyer of the property.

“Alhaja Sinatu Aderoju Ojikutu, a former Deputy Governor of Lagos State is a 67 year old retiree from Lagos Island.  She allegedly connived with her son, one Samson Adebisi Ojikutu Jnr, who is currently in USA to commit the fraud.  The suspect and her son were parties to the sale of the land and both signed the agreement given to the Complainant and obtained the sum of N130 million from him,” said Isintume-Agu.

The image maker further revealed that the former deputy governor had allegedly admitted the crime but confessed that it was a genuine mistake of plot identification. 

She refunded the sum of N50 million to the Complainant and promised to refund the balance as soon as she disposed her two properties, which she had put up for sale.  She also confessed that she had injected the Complainant’s money into her business.

“She equally made an undertaking and payment plan which was drawn from September, 2012 and was to terminate by November 2012, but she defaulted due to lack of fund.

“Police further discovered that the suspect is not willing to abide by the terms of repayment. She jumped Police bail and has been elusive.  Frantic efforts have been made to re-arrest her which proved abortive.

“The Nigeria Police, Special Fraud Unit hereby declares Alhaja Sinatu Aderoju Ojikutu wanted. Anybody with useful information regarding her where about should report to the Commissioner of Police, Special Fraud Unit, 13 Milverton Road, Ikoyi.”