CYRIACUS IZUEKWE
A 54-year-old man, Okorie Victor, was on Tuesday arraigned before an Ejigbo Magistrate Court in Lagos for allegedly defrauding five tenants of house rent, and stealing N14.1 million from one Rotimi Bankole.
The defendant appeared before Magistrate Mrs. F.R. Ogunkoyede on a three-count charge bordering on conduct likely to cause breach of peace, obtaining money under false pretence, and stealing.
According to the charge sheet filed by the Commissioner of Police, the alleged offences occurred between 2024 and May 2026 at No. 20 Adedolapo Street, Arida Bus Stop, Idimu Road, Ikotun, Lagos, within the Ejigbo Magisterial District.
Prosecutor ASP Simeon Njue told the court that Okorie Victor allegedly presented himself as a caretaker of the building and collected house rent from five tenants: Ejike Vitus Edogu, Chima Ogana, Eddie Omon Alegbe, Chigozie Madu, and Afolabi Rasheed.
The prosecutor alleged that the defendant collected the money under the pretence of sending it to the landlord, but failed to do so. The alleged action was said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 168(d) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
In Count II, ASP Njue alleged that the defendant, with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of Six Hundred Thousand Naira (N600,000.00) each from the same five tenants. The prosecutor said the defendant told them the money was going to the landlord’s account, a representation he knew to be false.
The total amount allegedly collected from the five tenants under this pretence is N3,000,000.00. The offence is contrary to Section 313 and punishable under Section 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
In Count III, the prosecutor alleged that between the same period and place, the defendant stole the sum of Fourteen Million, One Hundred Thousand Naira (N14,100,000.00), property of one Rotimi Bankole. The offence is said to be contrary to Section 280 and punishable under Section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The total sum involved in the three counts is N17,100,000.00.
When the charges were read to him, Okorie Victor pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, ASP Simeon Njue, urged the court to grant a trial date to enable the Police to prove the allegations. The Investigating Police Officer was W/Insp. Rashidat Jimoh of Ikotun Police Station.
After hearing submissions, Magistrate Mrs. F.R. Ogunkoyede granted the defendant bail in the sum of N2 million with two sureties in like sum.
The Magistrate ruled that the sureties must provide verifiable addresses and evidence of tax payment to the satisfaction of the court registrar.
Due to the nature of the allegations, the court ordered that the defendant be remanded in the Correctional Centre at Kirikiri town pending the perfection of his bail conditions.
The matter was adjourned for mention and for the prosecution to present its witnesses.
Legal experts say Sections 313 and 314 of the Lagos State Criminal Law deal with obtaining property by false pretence, while Section 287 prescribes punishment for stealing. Section 168(d) addresses conduct likely to cause breach of peace.
The Lagos State Government has repeatedly warned residents to verify the identity of anyone collecting rent or service charges on behalf of landlords to avoid falling victim to fraud. Residents have also been advised to insist on receipts and direct payment to verified landlord accounts.
The defendant was thereafter led out of the courtroom by officers of the Nigerian Correctional Service pending bail.