Connect with us

News

Lagos Govt probes alleged land scam by real estate company

Published

on

 

The Lagos State Government, through the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority, LASRERA, has launched an investigation into reports of an alleged land scam by RevolutionPlus Property Ltd.

Mrs Adeoti Sobowale, Deputy Director, Public Affairs, LASRERA, disclosed this in a statement made available to NAN on Monday, in Lagos.

A man identified as Mr Kayode Oladipo had in a viral video alleged that he bought 20 plots of land in 2017 from RevolutionPlus without any physical allocation of the said plots.

Sobowale stated that following a directive by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, state government officials in charge of housing on Friday invited the management of RevolutionPlus, led by its Managing Director, Dr Bamidele Onalaja, for a fact-finding meeting.

She named the government officials present at the meeting as: the Lagos State Commissioner for Housing, Mr Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, and Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Housing, Mrs Barakat Odunuga-Bakare, a lawyer.

The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Housing, Mr Gbolahan Toriola, was equally present.

Speaking at the panel, Akinderu-Fatai said that the investigation by the top government officials would help find lasting solutions to frequent reports of fraudulent practices in the state’s real estate sector.

He stated that this would protect the interest of investors and investees in real estate business transactions in Lagos state.

In her remark, Odunuga-Bakare recalled that before the recent viral video, there were concerns earlier raised by some members of the public about the conduct of RevolutionPlus to some of its subscribers.

Odunuga-Bakare stated that the investigation team, as directed by the state government, has resolved to investigate the allegation against RevolutionPlus in line with LASRERA Law 2022.

She noted that LASRERA Law 2022 empowers the agency to investigate petitions and complaints from members of the public.

According to her, this is to protect and promote sanity, as well as boost local and foreign investors’ confidence to invest in the sector.

Reacting, Onalaja confirmed that the complainant, Oladipo, subscribed for 20 plots of land from the property firm at Dallas Court, Lekki and Royalty Gardens in Ajah.

He explained that two out of the original 20 plots were fully paid for by the client, while the necessary documentation has been completed and handed over to him.

According to him, the remaining 18 plots of the land have not been fully paid for by Oladipo, as he flouted the payment agreement in the contract.

Onalaja said that the lands that have not been fully paid for, with their associated costs, will not be processed based on the contract conditions.

He stated that in case of non-compliance, the company policy requires the relocation of such subscriber to another site upon completion of payment or refund of the deposited sum less 40 per cent.

“The subscriber having defaulted in his payment pattern, was offered another site by RevolutionPlus at Amazon Estate in Epe, which he declined.

“Oladipo also rejected the option of refunding the advanced payment less service charge,” he said.

According to Onalaja, the company has finalised the allocation of five plots to the subscriber at Amazon Estate, based on the payment made with necessary documents forwarded to him.

The managing director noted that Oladipo did not pay N40 million to the company as claimed in the viral video, urging members of the public to disregard his claims.

According to him, the claims were untrue and misleading.

Responding to the investigation committee in a phone call, Oladipo disclosed that he paid a deposit sum of N18.606 million to RevolutionPlus in 2017.

He explained that along the line, he lost his job and could not continue with the payment as initially agreed.

He confirmed that he declined the option of relocation to Amazon Estate in Epe, and wants the state government to direct RevolutionPlus to re-allocate his subscribed plots of land to him.

Subsequently, the statement quoted the investigation committee to have explained to Oladipo that having defaulted in his payment arrangement, the real estate company has the right to offer him an option of relocation to another site.

The committee stated that the re-allocated site shall be equivalent to the deposit paid or the option of refund of the amount paid, less 40 per cent as stipulated in the agreed contract of sales by both parties.

However, following the deliberations by the investigation team, the complainant, Oladipo, has agreed to accept the re-allocation of five plots of land at Amazon Estate in Epe, Lagos State, which is equivalent to the present value of his payment

News

How Palmpay overcame trust deficit in 12 months- MD Nwosu

Published

on

Nigerians’ trust in Palmpay, a Central Bank of Nigeria’s fintech licensed bank, has grown tremendously in the last 12 months.

The Managing Director of Palmpay Nigeria, Chika Nwosu, disclosed this recently when he appeared on  Channels TV Business Roundtable.

Recall that the CBN recently restricted Palmpay and four fintech banks from onboarding new customers.

However, Nwosu gave insights into regulatory concerns surrounding the FinTech ecosystem and said that Palmpay has come to stay within Nigeria’s banking sector.

“Whatever happens with regulation is for the good of the FinTech space in Nigeria. Initially, when we started, there was an issue of trust. However, I can tell you now that the last 1 year after the cashless policy has seen the trust start to grow”.

The Managing Director emphasized PalmPay’s unwavering support for regulators in regulating the FinTech ecosystem, underscoring that regulators want to improve the services of strong players in the FinTech space, such as PalmPay.

On the ease of doing business and how it affects PalmPay, he said:

“Doing business in Nigeria for us is difficult, but Nigerians are embracing our App and digital payment”.

When asked about the problem of failed transfers, he stressed,

“Every institution has its business strategy and infrastructure. For us and most fintechs, we have a structure that makes transactions seamless”.

Regarding the regulator’s recent onboarding policy, he stated that PalmPay agreed with the regulators on some grey areas that must be addressed.

Reassuring customers that there was no issue with using PalmPay, he emphasized, “If PalmPay completes their own today, we will start onboarding today”.

On the issue of trust and the security of the PalmPay app, he said,

“There is no day you won’t see on our app boldly written that we are licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and our deposits are insured by the Nigeria Deposits Insurance Corporation (NDIC). PalmPay is here to stay”.

Continue Reading

News

Mushin LG Chairman flags off construction of Yusuf Street road, promises solar lighting

Published

on

The Mushin Local Government Chairman, Hon. Emmanuel Bamigboye on Wednesday flagged off the construction of Yusuf Street road in Papa Ajao.

The project is expected to bring relief to residents and traders in the area and is set to be completed within six months.

According to Bamigboye, the project is a fulfillment of his campaign promise to the people of Mushin, and he expressed gratitude to God for the opportunity to execute the project.

He urged residents to cooperate with the contractor and the local government to ensure the successful completion of the project.

The councillor representing the ward, Ayomide Abioye, expressed his joy and appreciation for the project, stating that it is the longest street in Papa Ajao and will bring immense benefit to the community.

Also, the Baba Oloja of Ladipo International Market, Eze Monday, also commended the Executive Chairman for the project, stating that it will make a significant impact on the development of the area.

The project includes the construction of the road and the installation of solar lighting, which is expected to enhance security and facilitate economic activities in the area.

Residents and traders in the area have been warned not to disturb the contractor or disrupt the project in any way.

Meanwhile, the traders applauded Hon. Bamigboye for demonstrating its commitment to infrastructural development and the welfare of its citizens.

Continue Reading

News

Giving back to community — Prof Oyedokun speaks on motives

Published

on

Lead Facilitator Professor of Accounting & Financial Development Founder OGE, Prof. Godwin Emmanuel Oyedokun, has disclosed that giving back to society community is his motive for pursuing his career.

He made the disclosure in an article titled “My motive for running a free professional diploma course in Forensic Accounting and Fraud Investigation is of several folds.”

He said, “Running a free professional diploma course in forensic accounting and fraud investigation is also motivated by my desire to give back to the community.

“By sharing my expertise and knowledge without any financial barriers, I am helping individuals from diverse backgrounds and financial situations to acquire valuable skills and advance their careers.”

The academic reiterated that the motive for running a free professional diploma course in forensic accounting and fraud investigation is centred around education, skill development, community service, and professional growth.

It is a way to contribute to the accounting profession, address a skill gap, and empower individuals in their pursuit of knowledge and career advancement.

According to him, “Promoting Education and Professional Development to contribute to the growth and development of the accounting profession by providing individuals with an opportunity to enhance their knowledge and skills in the specialised field of forensic accounting and fraud investigation.

“By offering this free course, i am enabling aspiring professionals to access valuable education that might otherwise be costly or inaccessible.”

The Don addressing the need for expertise in Forensic Accounting said, “In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for professionals skilled in forensic accounting and fraud investigation due to the rise in financial crimes and fraudulent activities. By offering this free course, I am helping to address this skill gap and aiding in the fight against financial fraud.”

Continue Reading

Trending