By Felix Kuyinu
An estate agent identified in court as Robinson Ehibowa is facing prosecution over an allegation of fraudulent act to the tune of N190,000.
Ehibowa was arrested by the police for collecting the sum from a client who sought for an apartment through him. He was later arraigned at the Badagry Magistrates’ Court on Thursday for trial.
The suspect, said to be 57 years old, is standing trial on two-count charge of fraud and theft according to the prosecutor, Inspector Edet Ekpo.
Ekpo claimed that Ehibowa committed the offences, on June 7, at about 9.00 am, in front of Princess Paint, old Badagry Expressway, Lagos.
The Prosecutor added that house seeker, Abiola Ademola, gave the defendant the money to help get a room and parlour self-contain apartment. The accused, however, failed to get the apartment to the complainant. He converted the money to his personal use and absconded.
After a manhunt by the police, the accused was apprehended and charged to court.
Ekpo told the Magistrate, Nurudeen Layeni, that the offences contravene Sections 287 and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The defendant pleaded not guilty.
Magistrate Layeni thereafter granted him bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum.
He also ordered that one of the sureties must be a community leader with proof of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
Next sitting on the trial is billed for October 9.
