Man In Trouble For Swindling Client Of N12m Collected To Build House

MICHAEL AKINOLA 

A 41-year old man, Owolabi Oladotun, has landed in trouble in Lagos State after he obtained the sum of N12m from his client, Onyiriuke Promise, under the pretense that he will build a house for him as contracted but he diverted the money. 

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the suspect, Oladotun, has been arrested and charged for the alleged fraud.

The incident happened at Tiwalade Street, Shogunle area of Lagos.

According to the Police, the suspect had an agreement with the complainant to build his house for N17m and he paid him over N12m with the agreement that he will balance him the agreed money.

However, after the complainant paid the money,  he bolted away, disconnected every communication they had and went into hiding.

The matter was reported to the Police  at Shogunle Division. The operatives moved into action, eventually arrested him and detained him at the station for interrogation over his conduct.

During interrogation, the Police asked him to refund the money and he said he had no money to refund as he had spent the money to solve his personal problems.

The Police found him culpable and charged him before the Ogba Magistrate Court for the alleged offence.

The charges read:

COUNT 1: That you, Owolabi Oladotun “M” on the 27 day of May, 2024 at No. 2, Tiwalade Street, Shogunle in the Ikeja Magisterial District did obtained the sum of N12,300,000.00 from one Onyiriuke Promise with the pretense that you will spend the money to build house for him, offer you know that it’s false and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 314 of the criminal laws of Lagos State Nigeria 2015.”

COUNT 2: That you, Owolabi Oladotun “M” on the same date time and place in the aforementioned magisterial district, did breach the contract you sign with Onyiriuke Promise that he should pay you the sum of N17,000,000.00  to build his house at No. 2, Tiwalade Street after he paid you the sum of N12,300,000.00  you refused to build the house as you agreed and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 212 Cap 2 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”

COUNT 3: That you, Owolabi Oladotun “M” on the same date time and place in the aforementioned magisterial district, did steal the sum of N12,300,000.00  property of one Onyiriuke and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 280 and punishable under Section 287 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”

However, he pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Supol Evelyn, asked the Court to give a date for hearing since he pleaded not guilty to enable the Police to prove that he actually committed the alleged offence.

The Presiding Magistrate, Mr. M.A. Adegbaye, granted him bail in the sum of N1m 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.

The matter was adjourned for mention while the defendant was remanded in custody at the correctional center at Kirikiri town, Lagos, pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.