Estate Agent Dupes Tenants N10m

An Agege-based estate developer, Kolawole Ayinde, 32, has been arrested by the police in Lagos for allegedly obtaining about N10 million from 22 prospective tenants on the pretence of providing them accommodation.

The accused who operates with the name Alubarika Homes and lived at 15, Supo Gbabe Street, Meiran, Lagos State, Southwest Nigeria, according to the police, was arrested following a complaint lodged by Pa Isaac Ademoye, the landlord of a building located at 4, Coker Street, Agege, that Kolawole used his building to defraud about 22 prospective tenants.

Following the report, the police arrested the accused at his hideout.

During interrogation, he allegedly confessed to the crime. “I was given a three-bedroom flat by the landlord of the house to renovate and let out for four years to recoup my money.

“But out of greed, I partitioned the flat into a room and self contain and started collecting money from people to make profit.

“I collected between N430,000, N370,000, N290,000 and N240,000 respectively from about 22 prospective tenants before I escaped.

“I am now begging the police to release me to enable me rehabilitate all of them at a property at 20, Ebun Street, Papa Ashafa and 6, Dopemu Street, Agege or sell one of the properties that belongs to me and pay the money to the victims,” he pleaded.

In his statement to the police, the landlord of the building, Pa Ademoye said: “The accused approached me to allow him renovate one of my flats with his own money and lease it out for four years to recover his money. I agreed because I suspected no foul play. But I never knew he partitioned my flat into a self-contain and rooms and started collecting money from different people.

“After collecting their money, he ran away and the victims started disturbing me. So, I reported the matter to the police.

“I am calling on the police to help me recover my apartment from him as he has breached the agreement we had with his criminal act.”

P.M.NEWS also gathered that the accused had been transferred to the State CID, Panti, Yaba for further interrogation.

When P.M.NEWS visited the State CID, a police source confirmed the presence of the suspect, adding that he would be charged to court at the conclusion of investigation.

—Paul Iyoghojie