Land agent docked over alleged N4m fraud

A 40-year-old land agent, Mohammed Rabiu, was on Tuesday docked in a Kaduna Magistrates’ Court, over alleged N4 million fraud.

The defendant, who resides in the Malali area of Kaduna, is charged with criminal breach of trust and cheating.

The Prosecution Counsel, Insp Chidi Leo, told the court that a written petition by the complainant, Sani Garba, was received at the State Police Divisional Headquarters on Dec. 20.

In the course of the investigation, he said,  it was discovered that sometime in July 2022 the complainant entrusted N3.5 million to the defendant, who claimed to be the owner of a property in Ungwan Sarki in Malali, Kaduna.

He said that the complainant later gave the defendant the balance of N500,000.

He said the offense contravened the provisions of sections 297 and 307 of the Kaduna State Penal Code.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Magistrate, Mr. Ibrahim Emmanuel, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum.

Emmanuel ordered that the sureties must own a landed property.

He adjourned the case until Jan. 30 for a hearing.