A 55-year-old landlord, Christopher Ikwune, who allegedly defrauded his tenant of N1.5 million, on Monday appeared in a Tinubu Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.
Facing a two-count charge of theft and fraud, Ikwune, whose address was not given, has pleaded not guilty.
Magistrate Olumide Fusika admitted the accused to a N500,000 bail with two sureties in like sum.
She said one of the sureties must be a relation of the accused while the other should be a civil servant.
Earlier, Police Prosecutor Ben Ekundayo told the court that the accused committed the offences sometime in February
at 10.00 a.m. at No. 63 Balogun St., Lagos Island.
at 10.00 a.m. at No. 63 Balogun St., Lagos Island.
He alleged that the accused fraudulently obtained N1.5 million from his tenant, Mr Theophilus Chibueze, on the pretext
of allocating a shop to him in his newly renovated building.
of allocating a shop to him in his newly renovated building.
“The accused collected the money from Chibueze as rent for a year and told the complainant to vacate the shop for
renovation but after renovating the shop he rented it to someone else.”
renovation but after renovating the shop he rented it to someone else.”
The offences contravened Sections 287 and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
Section 287 stipulates a three-year jail term while Section 314 prescribes 15 years for fraud.
The case has been adjourned until Oct. 30 for hearing. (NAN)