A landlord, Alhaji Akinola Disu and his tenant, Sagelife Laboratories Limited, have been thrown into confusion after a 49-year old man, Afunwape Abiola, allegedly acted as the landlord’s agent and obtained N22m from the company for rent payment, which turned to be a scam in Lagos State.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the property in question is located at Oduduwa Crescent, GRA,Ikeja, Lagos.
The property is said to be owned by Alhaji Disu and was rented by Sagelife Laboratories Limited.
When the landlord demanded for the rent payment from the management of Sagelife Laboratories Limited, they told the landlord that they have paid the money to his agent. But the landlord claimed that he had no agent and he did not send anyone to collect the money on his behalf.
The issue now is between the landlord and the company, who will take responsibility for the transaction that has turned to be a scam.
Meanwhile, the purported agent, Abiola, has been arrested and and charged before the Court for allegedly swindling the landlord, Alhaji Disu and Sagelife Laboratories Limited to the tune of the said amount under the false pretence of being an agent to the landlord.
He was charged for impersonation and extortion, which attracts several years of imprisonment.
He pleaded not guilty when he was arraigned.
The prosecutor, DSP Kehinde Ajayi, 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, Mrs. E. Kubenije granted him bail in the sum of N3m with two sureties in like sum, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment while addresses verified by the Court.
The matter was adjourned till 26th June, 2024, 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.