Guard, others scams newly-married couple of rent

Firstclass newsline learnt that the police in Lagos have arrested a
security guard of a building on Emmanuel Abimbola Cole, in the Lekki
Phase 1 area of Lagos, Sunday Okunba.
Okumba was arrested for allegedly conniving with an estate agent and
others, who are still at large, to defraud a newly-married man,
Abiodun Laguda, and his wife of N1m rent.
The fleeing suspects are identified as Akinwumi, the agent; an
engineer, Michael Olawale and Abu.
Firstclass newsline learnt that Laguda was driving along Admiralty
Road on June 28 when he saw a banner, advertising vacant apartments
for rent. Akinwumi was said to have responded to him when he contacted
the phone number written on the banner.
Firstclass newsline learnt that Akinwumi directed the victim to Abu,
to inspect the purported flats. Abu, who lodged at the residence for
two days, was said to have acted as another security guard of the
building, which was owned by one Mr. Edet Okon.
Firstclass newsline learnt that Laguda, after checking the house,
decided to settle for a two bedroom flat with a rent of N1.5m, and
N200,000 for agency fee and commission. The parties were said to have
agreed that the payment would be made twice.
However, trouble started on July 3 after the victim reportedly paid
N1m into a bank account sent to him by Akinwumi. He said it occurred
to him that the syndicate had duped him when he was told that the
house was meant for sale.
He said, "I went for a two bedroom flat because I just got married. My
wife and I met with Akinwumi at the house and he introduced us to
Olawale, an old man and we agreed on N1.5m rent and N200,000
commission and agency fee.
"I called them on July 2 for means of payment and Akinwumi sent me an
Access Bank account number: 0049180880, bearing Ken Mathew. I called
the engineer to confirm the account details before I paid N1m on July
3. When I went to the house the following day, I met Okunba, who told
me Abu had travelled. He said he was the only security man in the
house and that it was for sale. Later in the afternoon, an unknown
number called me and said the people I paid to were fraudsters."
Firstclass newsline learnt that Okunba was arrested after the fraud
was reported at the Maroko Police Division.
In his statement to the police, Okunba said Akinwumi had approached
him on June 16 that he and his friend wanted to buy the building. He
said Akinwumi collected his phone number and that of his boss.
He said the agent brought Abu some days later to stay with him, adding
that he was only given N300.
He said, "My boss (Edet Okon), instructed me to give his number to
whoever wants to buy the house. That was why I gave it to him
(Akinwumi). Some days after, he brought Abu to stay with me and look
after his car, which he said he parked nearby because it was faulty.
"While Abu was with me, Akinwumi brought a man (Laguda). I was not
there when they were discussing. Akinwumi came, he gave me N300 only.
I didn't know about the fraud."
He was, however, arraigned by a police prosecutor, Sergeant I. Okoti,
before a Tinubu Magistrate's Court on three counts of obtaining money
under false pretences.
The charges read in part, "That you, Sunday Okunba, and others now at
large, between June 28 and July 4, 2015, on Emmanuel Abimbola Cole
Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did
fraudulently obtain the sum of N1m from one Abiodun Laguda under the
pretences of using same to rent him a two bedroom flat."
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges
The presiding magistrate, Mrs. M. Folabi, admitted him to bail in the
sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.
The case was adjourned till August 3, 2015.
Firstclassnewsline.net