Estate agent docked for allegedly swindling 2 accommodation seekers

A 51-year-old agent, Frank Maduka-Chineke, on Tuesday appeared before a Tinubu Magistrates’ Court for allegedly defrauding two accommodation seekers of N70,000 and N65,000 respectively.

The defendant is facing a four-count charge bothering on conspiracy, fraud and theft.

The Prosecutor, ASP Ben Ekundayo, told the court that the defendant committed the offences in December, 2020 at No. 4 MacPherson St., Ikoyi Lagos.

Ekundayo said that the defendant, an Estate agent, defrauded two accommodation seekers, one Mr Babafemi Agbaja of N70, 000.

The prosecutor also said that he defrauded another accommodation seeker, one Mrs Blessing Osemede of N65, 000 with the pretext of helping them to rent an apartment.

He added that the defendant fraudulently collected N135, 000 from Agbaja and Osemede for the same apartment, which his victims later discovered.

Ekundayo said that the offences contravened Sections 287, 314, 411of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

Maduka-Chineke, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The Magistrate, Mr A.A. Paul, granted the defendant bail of N200, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

Paul adjourned the case until Feb.11 for hearing.