Land Speculator Jailed 2 Years For N1.5 Fraud

A land speculator, Awelu Joseph, 58, has been sentenced to two years imprisonment without an option of fine by the Igbosere Magistrate’s Court for obtaining N1.5 million under false pretence.

The accused was convicted by Magistrate W. B. Balogun, when he was found guilty in a two-count charge of stealing preferred against him by the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Ikeja Monitoring Unit.

The police alleged in the charge sheet that the accused in 2008 sold a plot of land to one Mrs. Yemi Ayenogun for N1.5million at Bagko Estate, Owode Onirin, Ikorodu Road, Lagos State, Southwest Nigeria.

The victim, according to the police, paid the accused through Oceanic Bank cheque No. 00000068.

When the buyer started developing the land, a man identified as Olumade challenged the woman accusing her of unlawful incursion into his land.

The woman was said to have explained to him that Awelu sold the land to her, but the intruder told the victim to stop work on the land, as the land belongs to him and that he never authorised any body to sell the land on his behalf.

The woman reported the matter to the police and the accused was arrested and after investigation, he was arraigned before the Igbosere Magistrate’s Court for stealing. The offences, according to the prosecutor Anyanwu Godwin, are punishable under Section 390(9) Criminal Code, 2003 and 1(2) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other related Offences Act, 2006.

After trials and adjournments, the presiding magistrate, W. B. Balogun, struck out the second count charge and found him guilty on the first count and accordingly sentenced him to two years imprisonment without an option of fine.

—Paul Iyoghojie