The police in Lagos on Monday arraigned a 77-year-old landlord, James Faneye, who allegedly defrauded his tenant of N500,000.
Faneye, who resides at No. 2, Faneye St., Yaba, Lagos, was charged with stealing and obtaining money under false pretences.
He is standing trial before a Yaba Magistrates’ Court.
The Prosecutor, Insp Peter Nwangwu, told the court that the pensioner committed the offences on Oct. 18, 2012, at his residence.
He said the septuagenarian defrauded Mr Oluwatoyin Petgrave, who occupied the second floor of his building.
Nwangwu said that the landlord informed the tenant that he intended to renovate the building, and asked him to vacate the apartment temporarily.
“The complainant vacated the building on the landlord’s request to pave way for the renovation.
“The defendant collected N500,000 from Petgrave as post renovation rent.
“Faneye, however, failed to give the renovated apartment to the complainant and refused to refund his money,’’ Nwangwu said.
According to Nwangwu, the landlord issued a United Bank for Africa cheque for N500,000 in an attempt to refund the money, but the cheque was dishonoured.
The prosecutor said the offences contravened Sections 285, 312 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
Faneye, however, pleaded not guilty, and was granted bail by Magistrate Adekorede Ajibade in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum. Ajibade adjourned the case to May 20 for mention.
Section 285 prescribes three years imprisonment for a convicted thief.
NAN
