A 57- year-old estate agent, Tamunoboma Ekine, on Friday appeared before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court over alleged N6.4 million fraud.
The defendant, who resides at 31B, Redwood Road, Northern Foreshore Estate, Lekki, Lagos, is being tried for stealing, obtaining money under false pretenses and fraud.
The prosecutor, ASP Raji Akeem told the court that the defendant committed the offences on June 2022 at Lekki, Lagos.
The prosecutor said that the defendant had assisted the complainant, Mrs Corrine Guylaine, to secure a four- bedroom, fully serviced apartment in Lekki.
The prosecutor said that the complainant thereafter paid the sum N26.9 million being the total sum for rent, legal and agency fees as well as utility bills for a year.
Akeem told the court that the defendant, however, paid the sum less of N6.4 million for utility bill contrary to the rental agreement.
The prosecutor alleged that on discovery of the fraud, the defendant issued the complainant a cheque for N6.4 million, which was dishonored in the bank due to insufficient fund.
“Since then, all efforts made by the complainant to collect her money failed,” he said.
According to the prosecutor, the offences contravene Sections 287, 314 and 321 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Bola Osunsanmi, granted the defendant N1 million bail with two sureties in like sum.
Osunsanmi adjourned the case until Aug. 2 for mention.
