Two land dealers nabbed for ₦7m Lagos property fraud

By Paul Iyoghojie

Operatives of the Zone 2 Police Command, Lagos, have arrested two suspected land speculators, Toafeek Adebesin, 58, and Wasiu Adesina, 47, for allegedly defrauding a buyer of ₦7 million under false pretence in the Oloye Village, Erunwen area of Ikorodu.

The duo were accused of collecting the sum from one Ogochukwu Ndidi Asota, claiming they were selling him three acres of land in the area.

However, police investigations revealed that the land did not belong to them, and they allegedly converted the money to their personal use.

Following a petition to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 2 Command, AIG Adegoke Fayoade, detectives led by SP Stanley Igbinovia launched a manhunt and eventually apprehended the suspects at a hideout in Lagos through intelligence tracking.

After investigation, Adebesin and Adesina were arraigned before the Igbosere Magistrate’s Court, sitting at the Tinubu Magistrate’s Court, Lagos Island, on a three-count charge of conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence, and stealing, contrary to Sections 411, 314, and 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

Police prosecutor, DSP Francis Igbinosa, told the court that the incident occurred in 2022 at Oloye Village.

He explained that the defendants fraudulently sold plots of land belonging to another family to the complainant.

The deception came to light when Asota began development on the site, and the rightful owners allegedly stormed the area, chased away the workers, and declared that they never sold the property.

Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The presiding magistrate, Mrs D.S. Amos, granted them ₦1 million bail each with two sureties in like sum and ordered their remand at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre pending fulfilment of bail conditions.
The case was adjourned till 14 October 2025 for mention.