Traditional Ruler In Court Over N3.3m Land Fraud

A traditional ruler, Chief Wasiu Maiyegun, on Friday appeared before an Ebute Meta Magistrates’ Court in Lagos, charged with duping a businessman of N3.3 million.

Maiyegun, the Baale of Maiyegun Village in the Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos, is facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, stealing and fraud.

The prosecutor, DSP Adeola Elemuoro, told the court that the offence was committed between August 3 and October 12, 2012, at the residence of the accused.

He said that the accused obtained the amount from the complainant, Mr Olukayode Sodimu, on the pretext of selling a plot of land to him.

“The accused showed the complainant a fake title document of a land and promised to handover the document to the complainant after payment.

“Sodimu paid for the property but instead of handing over the title documents, the accused absconded,” the prosecutor said.

Elemuoro said that the offences committed contravened Sections 285, 312 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

Section 312 provides that a person who obtains by false pretence is guilty of a felony and liable to 15 years imprisonment.

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

The Magistrate, Mrs M.O Tanimola, granted the accused a N500, 000 bail with two sureties in like sum.

The case was adjourned till October 21 for further hearing.