14th January, 2022
By Paul Iyoghojie
The Police at the Zonal Command, Onikan, Lagos have arraigned a legal practitioner, Femi Mathew Adedoyin, 48, and his alleged accomplice, Motunrayo Abolarinwa, 54, before a Lagos Magistrate’s Court.
They were arraigned for allegedly selling a building belonging to Pa. Abraham Abolarinwa for N15 million without his consent and allegedly converted the money to their use.
Police alleged that the defendants were ordered arrested by the Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG in Charge of Zone, 2, Lagos, following a petition by the complainant.
The defendants were charged before the Igbosere Magistrate’s Court sitting at the Tinubu Magistrate’s Court on a three-count charge of conspiracy, fraudulent conversion, forgery and stealing.
Police prosecuting Counsel, ASP Ibrahim Haruna informed the court in the charge marked Q/01/2022 that the defendants committed the offence in 2019 at 11/13 Ayepe Street, Okokomaika Ojo, Lagos and at 43/45, PPL, Agbamu Street, Coker Bus Stop, Orile Iganmu, Lagos.
Haruna told the Court that the defendants fraudulently sold a building belonging to the complainant, Pa Abraham Abolarinwa for N15m without his consent and converted the money to their use.
He said the offences, the defendants committed were punishable under sections 411, 287 and 365 (1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges in the court and their counsel, Austin Opete who appeared with Kazeem Odunsi prayed the court to grant the lawyer bail on self-recognition because he is a prominent legal practitioner who would not jump bail if granted.
Opete also urged the court to admit the second defendant, Abolarinwa to bail in the most liberal term as she is still innocent of the allegations levelled against her until it is proved otherwise.
The presiding Magistrate, Mr. O.S Abioye granted the lawyer bail on self-recognition with the condition that he must deposit his international passport with the court.
Abioye also admitted Abolarinwa on bail in the sum of N500, 000 with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case till 3 February, 2022 for mention.