By Sodiq Adelakun
A 53-year-old man named Tunde George has been sentenced to two years in prison by the Surulere Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos. George was found guilty of defrauding two individuals seeking accommodation of a total of N1.2 million.
The presiding Magistrate, Mrs Sanusi Adagun, handed down the sentence after George pleaded guilty to charges of obtaining money by false pretenses and stealing.
In addition to the prison term, Adagun also gave George the option of paying back the sum of N625,000 and N635,000 to the victims within 14 days. Failure to do so would result in him serving the full prison sentence.
It was gathered that the convict was initially arraigned on Feb. 19.
George, who resides at No 17, Iyabo St., Sari Iganmu, Lagos, pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy in sentencing him.
The Prosecutor, Insp Courage Ekhueorohan, had told the court earlier, that George committed the offences on July 21, 2023 at Sari Iganmu Road, Orile Lagos.
He said that George, fraudulently obtained the sum of N1.2 million from Ugwute Stephen and Abigael Oyiloye, under the pretext of renting out a self-contained apartment to them.
Ekhueorhan said that the offences, contravened sections 287 and 314 (3) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.