CYRIACUS IZUEKWE
A suspected land grabber, Alhaji Nurudeen Bisilriya has been arrested and charged before a Lagos court for allegedly defrauding a pastor Andrew Ichue to the tune of N2.8 million under the false pretence of selling a parcel of land to him.
The incident happened at Akesan area in the outskirt of Lagos where Bisilriya claimed that he had a parcel of land he wanted to sell.
P.M.EXPRESS gathered that it turned out it that the defendant had no such land, he only used the pretence to defraud Ichue who trusted him.
P.M.EXPRESS gathered that Ichue suffered his fate after he contacted the suspect that he wanted to buy a land in the area for undisclosed purpose.
It was gathered that Alhaji as the suspect is popularly called, claimed that he had a parcel of land to sell.
He reportedly took him to an area where he showed him a parcel of land belonging to another person which he claimed belonged to him.
Thereafter, Ichue took him to the First Bank branch in Idimu where he withdrew the money, paid and Alhaji issued him title deed receipts.
However, when Ichue went to take possession, the owner of the land surfaced and proved to him that the land belonged to him and Alhaji ran away and did not show up.
The matter was reported to the police and the 50-year old suspect was later arrested and taken to Area M Command, Idimu where he was detained for the alleged fraud.
P.M.EXPRESS gathered that he admitted receiving such money from Ichue and said he had no land in the area to sell to him as he had earlier claimed to convince the victim.
He was charged before Ejigbo Magistrates court with obtaining under false pretence and stealing under the Criminal Code.
He pleaded not guilty.
The presiding Magistrate, Mr Akeem Fashola granted him bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.
He was remanded in prison custody pending when he will perfect his bail condition.
The matter was adjourned till 28 June 2017.