12th November, 2013
Jamiu Yisa
An estate agent, Peter Nwogu, has been arraigned before a Lagos High Court, Ikeja, for allegedly defrauding some accommodation seekers to the tune of N30.7 million.
Nwogu was arraigned by Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) today before Justice Kudirat Jose, on a 20-count charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretences and issuance of dud cheque.
The defendant was charged alongside two of his companies, Diplomatic Service Consulting Limited (DSCL) and the Christian Business Defence Fellowship.
It was gathered that between February 2007 and January 2010, Nwaogu collected various sums of money from different individuals and companies under the pretext of helping them secure accommodation in different locations across Lagos.
He promised to lease the victims the buildings located at 4 Kingsley Emu Street, Lekki Phase I, Lagos and 35 Joel Ogunaike Street, Ikeja, respectively.
Some of the people allegedly swindled by the defendant are – Messrs Emmanuel Dimgba, Kayode Komolafe and Tochukwu Orakwe. Others are- Alumaco Plc, JMG Nigeria Limited and Nuramal and Sons Nigeria Limited.
EFCC counsel, Mr. Francis Usani, alleged that Nwogu, between February 2007 and January 2010, collected various sums of money from different individuals and companies under the pretext of helping them secure accommodation in different locations across Lagos.
He said that Nwogu promised to lease the victims the buildings located at 4 Kingsley Emu Street, Lekki Phase I, Lagos and 35 Joel Ogunaike Street, Ikeja, respectively.
He also accused Nwogu of issuing an Oceanic Bank Cheque dated 7 December 2009 in the sum of N48 million payable to one Dr. F.A. Ajayi from the account of DSCL.
The prosecutor said the cheque was dishonored when it was presented because there were insufficient funds in the defendant’s account.