A 50-year old man, Adegboyega Rabiu, has been arrested and charged in Lagos State for allegedly swindling a victim, Lanre Badmus, to the tune of the sum of N25m under the false pretence of getting him building permits from the Lagos State Government, which turned out to be a scam.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the suspect, Rabiu, was arrested for conspiracy, obtaining under false pretence and stealing.
The alleged fraud was committed at Ikorodu area of Lagos, where the victim, Lanre Badmus, paid the money after the suspect had claimed to be a representative of the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority and that he would assist in obtaining approval for a potential hotel that he intended to build in Ikorodu.
However, 16 months after the N25 million payment was made to him, the suspect was unreachable and failed to obtain the necessary authorizations as he promised.
According to the victim, the suspect told him that he works with LASPPPA and that he would help him get building approval and permit for his hotel to no avail.
The matter was reported to the Police, who moved into action and arrested Rabiu for interrogation over his alleged conduct. And after rounds of interrogation, he was found culpable. Thus, the Police charged him before the Court under the Criminal laws of the State.
The prosecutor, Supol Thomas Nurudeen, told the Court that the defendant was arrested on 1st August, 2023 and the offence contravened Sections 411 and 314 of the Lagos State, Nigeria 2015 Criminal Law and are therefore, punishable by law.
The charge read:
“That on August 1, 2023, in Ikorodu, Lagos State, in the Lagos Magisterial District, you, Adegboyega Rabiu and others now at large did commit felony to wit: obtaining money by false pretense and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State Nigeria 2015″.
“That on August 1, 2023, in Ikorodu, Lagos State, in the Lagos Magisterial District, you, Adegboyega Rabiu and others who are currently at large, stole the sum of N25 million under the false pretense of obtaining a building permit and approval for one Lanre Ayedun. You did this knowing that the representation you made was false, and as a result, you committed an offense that is punishable under Section 314 of the Lagos State Nigeria 2015 Criminal Law.”
He however, pleaded not guilty.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mr. P.E. Nwaka, granted him bail in the sum of N2m with two sureties in like sum, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and addresses verified by the Court.
The matter was adjourned till 1st January, 2024, for mention while the defendant was remanded in custody at the correctional centre pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.