Police arrest estate agent for N7m fraud

A 45-year-old estate agent has been arrested by the police for collecting N7m from one Mrs. Ismaila Adeyinka on the pretext to sell a three-bed-room flat to her.

Police said the suspect, Joy Ikpatt, was a member of a syndicate whose other members were still on the run.

Our correspondent learnt that the cartel had obtained the money from the unsuspecting woman since October, 2011 and promised to secure her the apartment located in the FESTAC Town area of Lagos.

PUNCH Metro also gathered that Adeyinka reported the matter to the police when the group neither produced the flat as agreed, nor returned her money.

Ikpatt was subsequently arraigned before an Apapa Magistrate’s Court on three counts of conspiracy, fraud and stealing.

The Investigating Police Officer said the charges were contrary to and punishable under sections 409, 312 and 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The charges partly read, “That you, Joy Ikpatt and others at large, on October 29, 2011, at 4th Avenue, FESTAC Town, Lagos in the Apapa Magisterial District did conspire to commit felony to wit; obtaining money under false pretences and stealing.

“That you, and others at large, on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned magisterial district, did by false pretence and with intent to defraud obtain the sum of N7m from Mrs. Ismaila Adeyinka with the pretence that you are in a position to sell a three bed room flat apartment in Block 12 Avenue FESTAC Town, Lagos.

“That you and others at large on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned magisterial district stole the sum of N7m property of Mrs. Ismaila Adeyinka.”

After the defendant pleaded not guilty to the offences, the Magistrate, Mr. M.K.O. Fadeyi, admitted him to bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties each in the like sum.

Fadeyi said the sureties must be gainfully employed and submit their evidence of tax payment to the court.

The matter was adjourned till October 3, 2014.

In a related development, the magistrate granted bail to one Onyekachi Nnnaji, in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties each in the like sum.

Nnnaji was arraigned for burgling a shop at Article Market, Abule Oshun in the Satellite Town area of the state, stealing goods worth N5m in the process.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to the three counts preferred againt him

The magistrate adjourned the matter till October 10, 2014 for mention.

PUNCH