Police arrest developer for defrauding house seekers of over N80m

Detectives attached to the Lagos State Police Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) Panti Yaba have arrested a property developer Mr.Adeyemi Kabiru of Tunde Korede Investment over allegations bordering on conspiracy, fraud, and obtaining under false pretense of over N80 Million.

It was learnt that the suspect, a serial fraudster was arrested following a petition by the International Centre for Human Rights Non Violence and Safety Awareness (ICHR).

Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect had earlier been arrested by policemen attached to the FCID Alagbon Lagos for similar offence.

Speaking on the issue, the Executive Director of ICHR, Barrister Ene Unobe appealed to the Lagos State acting Commissioner of police Mr Edgal Imohimi to arrest other members of the gang.

She said “We are acting on behalf of over five hundred victms who on June 16th 2017 protested enmass to our office that a gang of house fraudsters they identified as Mr. Adeyemi Kabiru an estate developer,one Mrs Fumilayo Akingboju, Azeez Adeniran and one John Afolabi (popularly known as MrJay Jay),all of Tunde Korede Investment collected various sum of money from them for house rent amounting to N80million while one Alhaji Tajudeen Atanda and one Atanda Akinola Alimi collected the sum of N20million but they fled there after without giving the prospective tenants accommodation they paid for.

“From our Investigation,some of the victims paid cash while others did bank transfer to the above named persons for houses under construction but near completion at No. 56 Moshalasi Street Surulere, Lagos State; at No. 30 Ramlat Timson Street Aguda Surulere Lagos State; also at No. 10 Ekunjimi Street, Sari Iganmu Lagos.”

Speaking on how they were defrauded, a victim Lola Maje said “My agent took me to the property at Moshalasi Street.It was almost completed and I paid a deposit of 240,000 for a mini flat but to my shock, when I got there the room has been occupied and efforts to get my money back has been abortive”

Another victim who did not want his name in print said “I paid N400,000 for a two bedroom at Sari Iganmu but the developer fled with my money”.

Speaking on the investigation, Bar. Unobe said”When the matter was first reported at FCIID Alagbon by two agents, the police though took the statement of over one hundred victims but they arraigned Kabiru on a two count charge.

“We believe the police in Alagbon, the court,the registrar have compromised because to our surprise,we were not informed of his arraignment but when we got to court,we learnt he was arraigned in the Magisteriate chambers not in the open court and a simple bail condition was given to him.

“Mr. Kabiru has since jumped bail but we put up another petition to Lagos CP and he was rearrested by SCID Panti Yaba last week We are appealing to the police to conduct a thorough investigation this time around and charge him accordingly based on the compliants of over five hundred victims .

“The police should also ensure that other suspects are arrested as we appeal to the state government to urgently address the menace of property fraudsters in the state so as not to give the impression that the state is a den of property fraudsters” she advised.

Speaking on their fustration in getting thier money back, some of the victims said they might be forced to take the law into thier hands.

CP Imohimi while commenting on the matter, said the case will be thoroughly investigated.

He said “I have directed the DCP at SCID Panti to investigate the compliant and we assure that justice will be served”.

JOy ANyim