P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened at Olowojodun Street, Community Road, Ijegun area of Lagos, where the house is located.
According to the Police, the suspect, on 21st August, 2023, did present himself as the landlord of the house in question and collected over N745,000 from prospective tenants and rented out the apartment without the consent of the landlord.
Some of the tenants, who the suspect, Balogun, collected money included Adeosun Aboyomi, Okuribido Temitope and others.
Trouble was said to have started after the landlord visited the house and discovered that the apartment has been rented out to the tenants. He asked them who did so and the new tenants mentioned that Balogun was responsible.
The matter was reported to the Police at Isheri Oshun Division. The suspect, Balogun, was then arrested and detained at the station for interrogation over his alleged criminal conduct.
During interrogation, he admitted to have rented out the apartment without the consent of the landlord and he has also spent the money.
The Police found him culpable and consequently charged him before the Ejigbo Magistrate Court for the alleged offence, which attracts several years of imprisonment.
He pleaded not guilty when he was arraigned.
The prosecutor, Inspector Simeon Njue, then 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. A.K. Dosumu-Uthma, granted him bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment.
The matter was adjourned till 16th January, 2024, for mention while the defendant was remanded in custody at the correctional centre at Kirikiri town, Lagos, pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.