A 64-year-old estate agent, Sunday Asibe, was arraigned before the Ebute-Metta Chief Magistrate Court in Lagos State on Wednesday for allegedly defrauding a man of ₦13 million.
Asibe, also known as John Asibe, faces charges of fraud, obtaining money by false pretence, and stealing, according to the police.
The police prosecutor, Inspector Cyriacus Osuji, told the court that Asibe committed the offences between February and May 2024 in the Igando area of Lagos. He allegedly defrauded a man named Alhaji Suleiman Bawale by promising to sell him a plot of land, but failed to deliver after collecting the money.
Osuji said Asibe took the money in two payments—₦8 million in February and an additional ₦5 million in May—both under the false promise of providing land to Bawale. “In February, Asibe stole ₦8 million from the complainant, promising to sell a plot of land, which he did not deliver. Then, in May, he obtained another ₦5 million with the same promise,” the prosecutor said.
Asibe’s actions violate Sections 313 and 280 (1)(a)(b) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015, punishable under Sections 314 (1)(a)(b)(3) and 287.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges. Magistrate Feyikemi George granted him bail in the sum of ₦1 million, with two sureties of the same amount. The sureties must provide three months’ bank statements showing a balance of ₦1 million and have their addresses verified.
The case was adjourned to October 30, 2024, for further mention.
