By Oluwatosin Maliki
A 50-year-old man, has been arraigned before the Yaba Magistrate’s Court by the Lagos State Police Command for allegedly stealing the sum of N25 million from one Lanre Ayedun in the Ikorodu area of the state.
The accused, Adegboyega Rabiu, is facing two count charges of receiving money by false pretence and stealing.
Quest Times gathered that the case was presided over by Magistrate Patrick Nwaka.
Ayedun who spoke to newsmen at the court, said the defendant presented himself as an official of the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority and promised to assist him get approval for a prospective hotel which he wanted to construct in Ikorodu.
But, after the money (N25m) was paid to him 16 months ago, the defendant was nowhere to be found, he could not be reached neither did he provide the permit.
Ayedun stated, “He told me he worked with LASPPPA and that he would help me get building approval and permit for my hotel, this is 16 months gone and he did not even open a register”.
Speaking in court, the police prosecutor Thomas Nurudeen told the court that the defendant committed the crime on August 1, 2023.
Nurudeen noted that the offences contravene and are punishable under Sections 411, and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State Nigeria 2015.
The charges read, “That you, Adegboyega Rabiu and others now at large on August 1, 2023, in Ikorodu, Lagos State, in the Lagos Magisterial District did commit felony to wit: obtaining money by false pretence and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State Nigeria 2015″.
“That you, Adegboyega Rabiu and others now at large on August 1, 2023, in Ikorodu, Lagos State, in the Lagos Magisterial District did streal the sum of N25m under the pretence of getting building approval and permit for one Lanre Ayedun a representation you knew to be false and thereby committed and an offence punishable under Section 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State Nigeria 2015.”
However, the defendant, pleaded not guilty to the charges levelled against him.
Following his plea, the Magistrate Nwaka, granted him bail in the sum of N2m with two responsible sureties in like sum.
Subsequently, Magistrate Nwaka adjourned the case till January 1, 2024 for mention.