MICHAEL AKINOLA
A 48-year old man, Prince Sunday Ajayi, has been arrested for allegedly swindling traders at Ladipo Market in Mushin, Lagos, to the tune of N150m over of parcels of land, which they wanted to use to build shops in Ogun State but it turned out to be a scam.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that Prince Ajayi’s arrested and arraignment before the Yaba Magistrate Court for criminal liability followed a petition to the FCIID, Alagbon, by the traders under their association having realized that Prince Ajayi has defrauded over the 304 acres of land in Ado-Ode area of Ogun State.
The traders had agreed to relocate from Ladipo Market due to lack of space and contacted the defendant, who convinced them under the umbrella of Ladipo Traders Association that he was a registered surveyor and had authority and consent of Fagbero Family to sell their parcels of the land in the area.
He was said to have convinced the traders who arranged, contributed and paid the money for the parcels of land in 2018 and the documents bearing the name of the Fagbero Family, who owns the land including documents from the Ogun State Government under the Ministry of Lands.
Having paid for the land, the traders went to CAC and registered the place with a named known as Ladipo King Estate.
However, trouble started when the traders attempted to develop the place as the Fagbero Family surfaced and asked them not to trespass because the parcels of land belonged to them.
The traders then presented the documents with which they bought the land. It was discovered to be fake and Prince Ajayi had no consent from the Fagbero family to sell the land.
The matter was reported to the Police through the petition. Ajayi was then arrested and detained at FCIID, Alagbon, for interrogation. While there, he admitted to have sold the parcels of land to the traders and did not have the consent of the owners to sell the land.
The Police found him culpable and subsequently charged him before the Court for conspiracy and obtaining under false pretence.
He pleaded not guilty when he was arraigned.
The prosecutor, Supol Rita Momah, 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. Adeola Olatubosun, 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.
The matter was adjourned till 24th May, 2023, for mention while the defendant was remanded in custody at the Correctional Centre pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.
After the ugly incident, the desire for traders to acquire landed property for building shops in Ogun State has turned to pains and sorrow as it has brought infighting among the traders, who are suspecting that the leadership of the association knew about the scam before they paid for the parcels of land.
Meanwhile, the defendant, Prince Ajayi, was said to have facilitated his bail conditions and was released from custody at the Correctional Centre.