Court remands Lawyer, one other over N13m fraud

By IFEOMA IKEM

‪A 49 year-old lawyer, Shina Ibrahim and a businessman, Falilulai Sarumi, (67), were remanded in prisons custody for allegedly obtaining of N13 million, under false pretence and selling a landed property.

‪The two accused persons were arraigned before a Tinubu Magistrate’s court presided over by Magistrate L. A. Owolabi, on a seven count charge bordering on conspiracy, stealing, and obtaining under false pretence.

‪The Police Prosecutor, Francesca Okere, informed the court that the accused persons, who resides at 42, Okesuna Street Lafiaji Lagos Island and 12, Ifenirepo close Akowonjo respectively, and others still at large, committed the alleged offences on September 2, 2015, at about 10. am at 55 Glover Street, Lagos Island.

‪Okere also informed the court that the lawyer, Shina Ibrahim, obtained the sum of N13 million, which was sent through his bank account by one Mrs Idowu Ayodeji under the pretence to sell a property situated at 55 Glover Street, Lagos Island, to her knowing that the property was not for sale.

‪It was learnt that the prosecutor also informed the court that the second accused, Falilulai Serumi and some others at large obtained the sum of N 12.3 million, through his Skye bank Plc account from the lawyer, money belonging to Ayodeji under the pretence of selling the said property to her by claiming to be an agent in charge of the property.

‪‪The offences according to the prosecutor are contrary to and punishable under sections 409, 312, 285, 337 and 56 of the criminal law of Lagos state of Nigeria 2011.

‪The accuses persons pleaded not guilty to the charges. The Magistrate Owolabi granted the defendants bail in the sum of N750,000 each with two sureties in like sum.

‪The magistrate ordered that the sureties must be up to 40 years of age, and one of them must be blood relation, who must show evidence of tax payment for three years and their addresses verified.
‪The matter was consequently adjourned till October 6, for mention.