KINGSLEY EBERE
Two tenants, Kofoworola Olakeye and Omobulejo Olanrewaju, have been locked in a fierce battle of possession after one apartment was rented out to them by an agent for N2.3m at the same and the agent bolted away with the money.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the 51-year old agent, Akinremi Michael, has been arrested and charged in Lagos for his conduct and he admitted to have done so.
The incident happened on 26th January and 5th March, 2025, at Olaniyi area of Abule-egba and Ayobo, respectively, where the suspect obtained the money and fled.
According to the Police, the suspect first collected the sum of N900,000.00 from one Kofoworola Olakeye to rent the apartment and as well collected N1,400.000.00 from Omobulejo Olanrewaju ‘M’, under a false pretence to securing same apartment.
However, he collected the money after showing them the place and went into hiding. At that point, it became an issue between the two tenants who will take possession of the apartment.
The matter was reported to the Police at Area P Command. The operatives moved into action, eventually arrested the suspect and detained him at the station for interrogation over his conduct.
After interrogation, the suspect admitted to have done so because he needed some money to solve his personal expenses and have used the money for the purpose.
The Police found him culpable and consequently charged him before the Ejigbo Magistrate Court for the alleged offence which attracts several years of imprisonment.
The charges read:
COUNT I: “That you, Akinremi Michael ‘M’, on the 26th January, 2025 and 5th March, 2025 at about 1430hrs, at Olaniyi area of Abule-egba and Ayobo, respectively, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did commit felony to wit obtaining money by false pretence and stealing and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 411 of the criminal law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”
COUNT II: “That you, Akinremi Michael ‘M’, On the same date, time and place in the aforementioned magisterial district, did fraudulently obtained the sum of Nine Hundred Thousand Naira (N900,000.00K) from one Kofoworola Olakeye and the sum of One Million Four Hundred Thousand Naira (N1,400.000.00K) from one Omobulejo Olanrewaju ‘M’, under a false pretence to secure an apartment for them and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 314(1) of the criminal law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”
COUNT III: “That you, Akinremi Michael ‘M’, On the same date, time and place in the aforementioned magisterial district, did fraudulently converted to your personal use the total sum of Two Million, Three Hundred Thousand Naira (N2,300,000.00K) from one Kofoworola Olakeye and Omobulejo Olanrewaju ‘M’, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 287 of the criminal law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”
Count IV: “That you, Akinremi Michael ‘M’, On the same date and place in the aforesaid magisterial district, did conduct yourself in a manner likely to cause breach of peace and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 168(d) of the criminal laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”
He pleaded guilty on counts one, two and three and not guilty on count four.
The prosecutor, Inspector Simeon Njue, then asked the Court to give a date for facts and sentence on the charges he pleaded guilty to enable the Court to sentence him accordingly as well as hearing on the charge he pleaded not guilty to.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mr. T.A. Poopola, ordered his remand in custody at the correctional center at Kirikiri town, Lagos and adjourned the matter till 26th May, 2025, for facts and sentence on the charges he pleaded guilty to and hearing on other charges he pleaded not guilty.