BY BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE & MICHAEL NWOPOKE
LAGOS — A 42-year-old developer, Mr.Moshood Lawal, was yesterday charged before a Lagos Chief Magistrate’s Court, sitting in Ebute-Metta, Oyingbo, for allegedly swindling over 36 accommodation seekers to the tune of over N5 million.

The developer whose company’s name bears Ridwas Construction Company, with its office at 57, Obun-Eko, Idumota, Lagos- Island, Lagos, was said to have used a room self-contained, one mini-flat and room and a parlour self-contained, at 28, Safe Birth Street, Fadeyi, Lagos, to defraud his victims under false pretence that he was in the position to let out the apartment to them.

Lawal (accused) was arraigned with a 52-count charge bordering on false presentation and stealing, which is punishable under section 312 and 285 of the criminal laws of Lagos state of Nigeria, 2011.

According to the prosecutor, Mr. O. Clement, the accused perpetrated the alleged fraud between January and May 2013. However, he pleaded not guilty when the charges were read him.

Counsel to the accused, Opeyemi O. urged the court to grant the l in the most liberal term and made application for his bail, while the prosecutor applied to court for adjournment of the matter, to enable the Investigation police Officer, IPO, to substitute the charge against the accused, as more victims have reported at their station.

The presiding magistrate, Mr. Olatunji O. admitted the accused bail in the sum of N1m, with sureties in the same like sum, adding that parts of the conditions is that the sureties must furnish the court with is the evidence of three year tax payment to Lagos state government, means of livelihood, evidence of being residents of Lagos state; and have their addresses verified by the court’s prosecutor.

Olatunji adjourned the matter to September 11, for mention.