Land Speculator Remanded

The police at the Zone 2 Command, Onikan, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria, have arraigned a suspected land speculator, Chief Victor Obijiofor, 51 before the Igbosere Magistrates’ Court on a two-count charge of obtaining money under false pretence.

The accused, according to the police, was arrested following a complaint by Chinedu Chikelue that the accused between June and September 2009 at Marwa Road, Ijegun, Satellite Town, Lagos, presented himself as a land agent and allegedly collected N10 million from him in respect of a land.

After a thorough investigation, the accused was charged to court for stealing, offences the prosecutor, Inspector Marcus Okon said are punishable under Sections 419 and 390(9) of the Criminal Code, Cap.17 (1), Vol. 11, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2003.

Count two of the charge reads: “That you, Chief Victor Obijiofor on the same date, time and place at the aforesaid magisterial district did steal the sum of N10 million, property of Mr. Chinedu Chikelue on the pretence of selling a land to him, but failed to do so.”

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges and the presiding magistrate, Mrs. Abegunde Davies, admitted him on bail in the sum of N3 million with two sureties in like sum.

The sureties, she directed must own a limited liability company with landed property in Lagos State.

She adjourned the matter till 18 November, 2011 for mention.

The accused was unable to fulfil the conditions attached to his bail and was remanded at the Ikoyi Prison, Lagos.

—Paul  Iyoghojie