1st June, 2011
The police at the Zone 2 Command, Onikan, Lagos State, southwest Nigeria, have arraigned two land speculators in the Igbosere Magistrate’s Court on a five-count charge of forgery and obtaining money under false pretence.
The accused, according to the police, allegedly obtained N10 million sometime in 2009 at 19, Kokumo Street, Aguda Ogba, Ikeja, Lagos and were about collecting another N235,000 from their victim when nemesis caught up with them.
The police alleged that the accused Thompson Abasike, 45 and Ikechukwu Onyia, 51, were arrested following a complaint lodged by Pastor Blessing Dike that he was defrauded of N10million and that they were about to collect N235,000 when he realised that they were fraudsters.
The police further alleged that the accused swindled the victim with forged power of authority dated 27 August, 2009 of a landed property situated at 185, Mobolajio Avenue, Alausa, Ikeja of Kunle Motors, purported to have been prepared by Bruni Sweater, Solicitors of Marble Plaza, 5415 Marble Avenue, Suit 21 Dalas Texas 75235.
The police also alleged further that on 18 December, 2010 at Office of the Notary Public of Nigeria holden at Ikeja, the accused required to make declaration before the Commissioner for Oath and swore to an affidavit on oath, giving information that their late father, Dr. Etieze Thompson, is the owner of the landed property situated at 185 Mobolaji Avenue, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, information they knew to be false before the transactions.
During interrogations, they allegedly confessed to the crime. The offences, according to the prosecutor, Inspector M. Okon, are punishable under Section 516, 467, 118, 419 and 390 of the Criminal Code, Cap. C17, vol. ii, laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2003.
The accused pleaded not to the charge and the presiding magistrate granted them bail in the sum of N1million with two surety each in like sum who must show proof of tax payment to the Lagos State Government and adjourned the matter till 13 June, 2011.
The accused were ordered remanded in prison when they could not fulfil their bail conditions.
—Paul Iyoghojie