Land Speculator Docked Over N7m Fraud

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A Lagos businessman has been arraigned before an Igbosere magistrate’s court on a 10-count charge of obtaining N7 million from Reverend Dr. Ifeanyi Onyeanwuna, the General Overseer of New Christian Life Mission Church on false pretence.

The operatives at the Special Fraud Unit, Milverton Street, Ikoyi, Lagos State, southwest Nigeria, stated in the charge suit No. K/3/2012 that Sunday Peters Okeke, 50, was arrested following a written complaint by Onyeanwuna that the accused some time in 2005 in Amosun Street, Abesan Estate, Ipaja, Lagos State, with intent to defraud, collected N5 million from him to sell to him three acres of land from the Baale Banjoko family land in Otan, Ogun State, N410,000 for family receipt, foundation and security of the said land, N300,000 for clearing the land, N360,000 to provide beacons and N1 million to obtain Certificate of Occupancy, C of O, for the land, a representation he knew was false.

The charge also stated that the accused, some time in 2007, knowingly forged deeds of assignment between Abudwaheed Salami, Baale of Omgbogbo and three other members of the family assignee and the new Christian Life Mission Church Assignee with intent that it shall be acted upon as genuine to the prejudice of the church.

The charges further revealed that the accused knowingly forged a survey plan dated 10 August, 1995 of Baale Banjoko family land in Otan, Ogun State, and in 1997, forged a survey plan measuring 1000104 square metres dated 22 March, 2007 of Isheri Oshun in Alimosho Local Government Area, but not Baale Banjoko family land in Otan, Ogun State, with intent that it shall be acted upon as genuine to the prejudice of the New Christian Life Mission Church.

The offences, according to the prosecutor, Barrister Frank Emerho, are punishable under sections 312, 285, 363 (1) (3), 324 and 115 of the criminal law, Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him and the presiding magistrate, Mrs. O. O. Martins, granted him bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum who must show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State government.

She adjourned the matter till 7 March, 2012.

The accused taken to Ikoyi prison when he could not meet the bail condition.

—Paul Iyoghojie

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