Lagos Monarch, 2 Others Docked For Fraud

A Lagos monarch, Biliaminu Lawal, and two others were on Tuesday charged before an Igbosere Magistrate’s Court for allegedly collecting N34.4 million under pretence.

Lawal, the traditional ruler of Ibasa-Ijegun, a suburb of Lagos, is being charged along with his chief, Mukaila Giwa, 48, and Mojeed Tajudeen, 35, an executive officer with the Ejigbo Local Council Development Area.

The accused, who are facing a four-count charge of conspiracy, obtaining money under false pretence, fraud and stealing, have pleaded not guilty.

The prosecution said the accused fraudulently obtained the money from two men with the promise to sell to them 90 plots in his domain.

Sgt. Stephen Molo told the court that the accused had on Sept. 20, 2003 obtained the money from Chief Eugene Okoro and Mr. Martins Ohagba without selling the plots situated at Ibasa Waterfront to them.

He said the offence contravened Sections 390 (9), 419 and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State.

The Magistrate, Mrs. O.J. Awope, granted the accused bail in the sum of N2 million, with two sureties each in like sum and adjourned the case till May 20 for further hearing.