Man Duped Of N1.4mn By Land Speculator Who Sold Bush As Land

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE

A 42-year old land speculator Gbenga Adeleye has been arrested and charged before a Lagos court for allegedly defrauding a victim, Chukwuma Ezeagwu of N1.4 million under the false pretence of selling a parcel of land to him in Ogun State.

P.M.EXPRESS gathered that Adeleye and four others -now at large- reportedly obtained the money from Ezeagwu after he was taken to Sapon area of Abeokuta in Ogun State and showed him a portion of land which he paid for.

When the suspects took Ezeagwu to the place, they only pointed to a particular bush and asked him to take possession of the land.

However, when the victim was about to clear the land, he realised that he had been duped when the real owner of the land appeared and prevented him.

Ezeagwu immediately contacted Adeleye who said they only sold to him the bush on the land and not the land itself.

The victim then reported the scam to the police in Lagos where both the victim and suspects reside.

Adeleye was arrested and charged before Isolo Magistrate’s court with obtaining and stealing under the Criminal Code.

He pleaded not guilty.

The presiding Magistrate, Mrs O.A Adedayo granted Adeleye bail in the sum of N250,000 with two sureties in like sum who must show evidence of tax payment.

He was remanded in prison custody pending when he will perfect his bail.

The matter was adjourned till 20 February 2017