BY PAUL IYOGHOJIE
Operatives of the Nigerian Police Special Fraud Unit, PSFU, Ikoyi, Lagos have arrested a suspect, Olugbenga Famurewa, and charged him before a Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly obtaining N17,500,000 from a complainant under false pretence.
Police alleged that the defendant, a resident of Mile 2 Estate, Lagos, tricked the complainant, Olugbenga Yakubu, and collected the money with the claim of selling a three-bedroom property located at Banana Estate, Alpha Beach Road, Agungi/Chevron area of Lagos State, knowing that the property did not belong to him.
After investigation, the defendant was charged before the Federal High Court, Lagos on a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and issuance of dishonoured cheques.
Prosecution’s case
Police prosecuting counsel informed the Court that the defendant committed the alleged offence in May 2024 within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, Lagos.
The Prosecutor told the Court that the defendant approached the complainant with the offer of a three-bedroom property for sale.
The complainant paid N17,500,000 for the property.
Trouble started when the complainant mobilized to the property to take possession and was confronted by the rightful owner.
The owner allegedly told the complainant that the property was not for sale and that the defendant had secured it on mortgage and was yet to complete payment.
The prosecutor also informed the court that the defendant issued IBTC bank cheques valued at N10 million and N5 million to the complainant as part repayment of the N17,500,000.
When the cheques were presented at the bank for payment, they were dishonoured on the ground of insufficient funds in the defendant’s account.
The prosecutor said the alleged offences were contrary to Section 1(2) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006, and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act, and Section 1(1)(2) of the Dishonoured Cheques Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Court proceedings
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges. Justice Ogazi granted him bail in the sum of N3.5 million with one surety in like sum.
Justice Ogazi adjourned the case till June 28, 2026 for the commencement of trial.
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