Operatives from the Zone 2 Police Command in Lagos have arrested two suspected land grabbers, Taofeek Adebesin and Wasiu Adesina, for allegedly swindling a victim, Ogochukwu Ndidi Asota, to the tune of N7m with another person’s land.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened in 2022 at Oloye Village, Erunwen, Ikorodu area of Lagos.
According to the Police, the suspects collected the said money from one Ogochukwu Ndidi Asota, claiming ownership of three acres of land which they purportedly sold to him.
However, Police investigations revealed that the land did not belong to the suspects, who allegedly diverted the funds for personal use.
Thus, the complainant wrote a petition to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 2 Command, AIG Adegoke Fayoade. Acting on the directive, detectives led by SP Stanley Igbinovia tracked and apprehended the suspects at a hideout in Lagos and detained them for interrogation over their alleged conduct.
The Police found them culpable after thorough investigation and charged the suspects, Adebesin and Adesina, before the Igbosere Magistrate Court, sitting at the Tinubu Magistrate Court, Lagos Island, on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence, and stealing, offences contrary to Sections 411, 314, and 287 of the Lagos State Criminal Law, 2015.”
The prosecutor, DSP Francis Igbinosa, told the court that the alleged fraud took place in 2022 when the defendants deceitfully sold land belonging to another family to the complainant.
The fraud was exposed when Asota began development on the land and the rightful owners arrived at the site, ordered the workers to leave, and denied ever selling the property.
They pleaded not guilty.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. D.S. Amos, granted each of them bail in the sum of N1 million with two sureties in like sum, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment while addresses will be verified by the Court.
They were remanded in custody at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre pending the fulfilment of their bail conditions while the matter was adjourned till 14th October, 2025, for mention.