3 Estate Agents Charged With Swindling 100 Victims

Three estate agents were on Wednesday docked at an Ebute Meta Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, for allegedly collecting N22 million from 100 prospective tenants under false pretences.

The trio — Tajudeen Yusuf, 48; Hakeem Adedotun, 48; and Toyin Yemenesa, 30 – are facing a 167-count charge of conspiracy, felony, stealing, obtaining money under false pretences and fraud.

The prosecution said the accused had in their capacities as agents collected the money from the prospective tenants with a promise to provide them accommodation.

“The men collected the money under the pretext of letting out mini-flats, three-bedroom flats and a duplex to the would-be tenants.

“They failed to provide the accommodation as promised and also failed to refund money to them,” Corporal Isaac Aminu told the court.

According to the prosecutor, the offence contravened Section 419 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the accused may be sentenced to seven years imprisonment on conviction.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Magistrate A. O. Olatunji granted the accused bail in the sum of N3 million each with two sureties in like sum.

The case was adjourned till 30 November for further hearing.