Man bags 2 years for N1.2m rent fraud

A Surulere Chief Magistrates’ Court sitting in Lagos on Wednesday sentenced a 53-year-old man, Tunde George, to two years in prison for defrauding two accommodation seekers of N1.2 million.

The Magistrate, Mrs. Sanusi Adagun, sentenced George after he pleaded guilty to a two-count charge of obtaining money by false pretences and stealing.

Adagun, who gave an option of a fine, ordered the convict to pay back the sum of N625, 000 and N635, 000 to the complainants in 14 days or risk going to prison.

Supreme News reports 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.