By Felix Kuyinu
The Federal High Court in Lagos has convicted one Abodunrin Abozo to eight years in prison for a fraudulent act in a sale of land.
Justice Ishmail Ijelu convicted Abozo during a proceeding at the court in Ikeja on Wednesday.
The convict was arraigned on a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence, contrary to Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006; and stealing, contrary to Section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.
First count charge reads: “Abodurin Gerald Abozos (doing business in the name and style of S.G.B. & As Property Lines Company), sometime in 2013 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of N62,000,000.00 (Sixty-two Million Naira) from Engineer Samuel Segher, under the false pretext, that you have two plots of land for sale at Chevy Estate Ojomu Chieftaincy Family land, Lagos, and the said amount represented the purchase price, a representation you knew to be false.”
Count two reads: “Abodurin Gerald Abozos, (doing business in the name and style of S.G.B. & A Property Lines Company), sometime in 2013 at lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, dishonestly converted to your use the aggregate sum of N62,000, 000.00 (Sixty-two Million Naira), property of Engineer Samuel Segher”.
The prosecution called two witnesses and tendered several documents, including the extra-judicial statement of the convict, which were all admitted in evidence by the court.
Delivering judgment, Justice Ijelu sentenced the defendant to seven years imprisonment on count one and one year on count two, without an option of fine.
