Court arraigns lawyer for alleged fraud, issuance of dud cheques

A lawyer has been arraigned in a Lagos Magistrate’s Court sitting at Igbosere, for allegedly obtaining the sum of N4.8 million from two lawyers in a fraudulent manner.

The lawyer, who was identified as Johnson Anumudu, allegedly collected the money from the lawyers, who were seeking for an office accommodation where he falsely represented himself as the owner of the property.

The prosecuting officer, Inspector Phillip Osijale, said that the incident took place at 15B, Fatai Arobieke Street, Lekki phase 1, Lagos in Eti Osa Local Government area of the state. The defendant, who resides at 10, Freedom Street, Osapa, London in Lekki area of Lagos, is facing a nine count charge bordering on obtaining, stealing, impersonation and issuance of dud cheques ‎preferred against him by the police.

The prosecutor also told the court that the defendant committed the alleged offences sometime in September 2014. He also alleged that the defendant had previously obtained by fraudulent means the sum of N2.8 million from one Olufunke Afolabi with the pretence of renting her an office accommodation at the address stated above.

And another sum of N2 million from one Adebisi Fajuyigbe, who was also seeking an office accommodation sometime in July 2014, at the same address mentioned above.

The prosecuting officer also alleged that the defendant falsely represented himself as the landlord of the said property at 15B Fatai Arobieke Street, Lekki Phase 1.

That trouble started after the complainants had paid and started renovation of the alleged property and then the real owner surfaced. And that when the complainants later demanded the refund of their money, the defendant issued dud cheques of N400,000 to them, which were later dishonored by the bank on the ground of insufficient fund in his account.

Osijale further stated that the offence committed is punishable under sections 312 (3), 285 (1), 378 (1), 319 (b) and 313 (1) (b) of the criminal law of Lagos state 2011. When the charges were read to the defendant, he pleaded not guilty to them. Magistrate M Owumi granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500,000, with one surety in like sum. The matter was adjourned to August 25, 2015 for mention.