Estate Agent Jailed 27 Years

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An estate agent, Yusuf Olaosebikan, 60, has been sentenced to 27 years in prison with hard labour by an Igbosere Magistrate’s Court, Lagos for defrauding about 24 prospective tenants on the pretence of providing them accommodation.

He was found guilty of failing to provide them accommodation and refusing to refund their money.

The accused was convicted by Magisrate W. B. Balogun in a 49-count charge of obtaining money under false pretence and stealing preferred against him by the police.

The police alleged in the charge that the accused on 31 January,  21 February, 25 March, 2 and 8 April 2008, conspired with two others identified as Olu Adeisa, 33 and Rasheed Lawal, 49 to defraud about 24 prospective tenants to the tune of N5 million on the pretence of renting out a two-bedroom flat, room and parlour, a self contain at 3, Alfa Aminu Street, Palm Grove, Lagos State, southwest Nigeria, which did not materialise and that after collecting their money, he absconded.

He and his accomplices allegedly collected N240,000 from Kingsley Ogbeni; N220,000 from Tunde Faleye, N300,000 from Abosede Lawal, N260,000 from Basil Ajalazu and various sums of money from 20 others.

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The tenants reported him to the police after all efforts to recover their money from him proved abortive. It took the police more than one year to find his hideout where he was arrested.

After investigation, he was charged to court for stealing, offences which the prosecutor, Inspector Godwin Anyanwu stated were punishable under Sections 516, 419 and 390 of the Criminal Code, Cap. C17, Vol. 11, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria.

The presiding magistrate, Mr. W. B. Balogun found him guilty as charged and sentenced him to 27 years imprisonment with hard labour.

The trial of his two accomplices continues.

— Paul Iyoghojie

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