Adegboyega Rabiu, a man accused by the Lagos State Police Command of stealing N25 million from a Lanre Badmus in the state’s Ikorodu region, has been charged at the Yaba Magistrate’s Court.
The 50-year-old accused was charged with two counts of stealing and collecting money under false pretenses before Magistrate Patrick Nwaka.
Ayedun, who talked with our correspondent at the court, claimed that the defendant identified himself as a representative of the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority and that he would assist him in obtaining approval for a potential hotel that he intended to build in Ikorodu.
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But 16 months after the N25 million payment was delivered to him, the defendant was unreachable and failed to obtain the necessary authorization.
“This is 16 months gone and he did not even open a register,” Ayedun bemoaned. “He told me he worked with LASPPPA and that he would help me get building approval and permit for my hotel,” he stated.
Thomas Nurudeen, the police prosecutor, informed the court that the defendant had committed the offense on August 1, 2023.
Nurudeen claims that the offenses violate Sections 411 and 314 of the Lagos State, Nigeria 2015 Criminal Law and are therefore punishable by law.
“That on August 1, 2023, in Ikorodu, Lagos State, in the Lagos Magisterial District, you, Adegboyega Rabiu and others now at large did commit felony to wit: obtaining money by false pretense and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State Nigeria 2015,” stated the charges.
That on August 1, 2023, in Ikorodu, Lagos State, in the Lagos Magisterial District, you, Adegboyega Rabiu and others who are currently at large, stole the sum of N25 million under the false pretense of obtaining a building permit and approval for one Lanre Ayedun. You did this knowing that the representation you made was false, and as a result, you committed an offense that is punishable under Section 314 of the Lagos State Nigeria 2015 Criminal Law.
Nonetheless, the accused entered a not guilty plea to the accusations that were filed against him.
After hearing his case, Magistrate Nwaka granted him bail in the amount of N2 million along with two dependable sureties in the same amount.
Also, for mention, Magistrate Nwaka postponed the case until January 1, 2024.