A 47-year old man, Oluwafemi Michael Obisankin, has landed in trouble in Lagos State for allegedly renting out an apartment to a tenant on suspicion that the landlord of the house was dead, which turned out to be false.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the landlord, Okwu Kelvin Chinedu, later surfaced and discovered that an apartment in his house was rented out to the tenant by the imposter, who had claimed to be the landlord.
The incident happened at New Site Anglican Church Street, Oke Eletu area of Lagos.
The 47-year old imposter, Oluwafemi Michael Obisankin, has been arrested and charged for impersonation by presenting himself as the landlord of the property and receiving N1m from a tenant, which he converted to his own use.
According to the Police, the landlord did not visit the place for sometime and the imposter assumed that he was no longer alive. He then took possession of the property and claimed to be the owner.
However, when the landlord, Chinedu later visited the house, he met the tenant to know who rented out the apartment to him. The tenant informed him that it was the landlord, who was the eventual imposter.
The matter was reported to the Commissioner of the Police, who directed the State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba, to investigate the matter. The Police operatives promptly arrested the impostor and detained him for interrogation over his alleged conduct.
After thorough interrogation, the Police found him culpable and charged him before the Ebute Metta Magistrate Court for the alleged offence, which attracts several years of imprisonment.
The charges read:
COUNT 1: “That you, Oluwafemi Michael Obisankin on or before 31st December, 2024 at New Site Anglican Church Street, Oke Eletu, Lagos in the Lagos Magisterial District, did knowingly, present yourself as the landlord of the above property, received the sum of N1m from a tenant and converted it to your own use, thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”
COUNT II:”That you, Oluwafemi Michael Obisankin, did steal the sum of N1m, being proceeds of rent, property of Mr. Okwu Kelvin Chinedu and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”
However, he pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Charles Akinrisoye Esq, 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. O.O. Akingbesote, granted him bail with two sureties, 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 pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.