CYRIACUS IZUEKWE
A 75-year old man, Etuk David Imoh has been arrested and charged before a Lagos court for allegedly selling his friend’s house for N15m without the consent of the owner to a buyer who also claimed he defrauded him.
He was charged for double fraud separately and remanded in prison custody. Imoh is now facing two separate charges before Ebute Meta Magistrates court. His friend, Fireufom Ukoka on one side and the buyer, Chiwuko Ugochukwu on another side.
The house is located at 24 Kazeem Akeukewe Street in Ijeshatedo, Lagos where Pa Imoh resides.
P.M.EXPRESS gathered the owner entrusted the house to the suspect and he was even collecting the rent from tenants for several years until he sold the house recently. After he had sold the house, the new landlord wanted to take possession, then Ukoka surfaced and claimed that the house belonged to him as he did not authorise Imoh to sell the house.
But the suspect claimed he had bought the house a long time ago from Ukoka despite the fact there was no agreement papers to that effect. However, the matter was reported to the police who investigated the matter and it was discovered that Imoh had no proof that he bought the house from the owner. He was then asked to refund the money to the new buyer, but he claimed that he had spent the money.
Imoh was charged separately before Ebute Meta Magistrates court for conspiracy and fraud.
He pleaded not guilty.
The presiding Magistrates, Mrs, O.A. Fowowe-Erusiafe granted him bail separately in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties each.
Imoh was remanded in prison custody pending when he will perfect his bail condition.
The matter was adjourned till 26th of September, 2017.