The police in Lagos on Friday arraigned seven estate agents for defrauding 70 accommodation seekers of N16.6 million.

The defendants are Lukan Atanda, 60; Lukman Katibi, 42; Rotimi Ige, 59; Samuel Adeniji, 49; Thomas Ajayi, 49; Abayomi Olusegun, 42; and Hamzat Saheed, 42.

They all live at Egbeda in Lagos and appeared before the Ikeja Magistrates’ Court.

Mr Atanda, the first defendant, is a property developer, while the others are estate agents.

They are facing charges of conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretences and stealing but pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Insp Innocent Odugbo, told the court that the defendants committed the offences from November 2022 to July 2023 in Egbeda.

Mr Odugbo said the defendants obtained N16.6 million from 70 different accommodation seekers on the pretext of renting a mini flat for them.

The prosecutor said the defendants did not secure accommodation for the alleged victims or return their money. 

The alleged offences contravene sections 287, 312, 314 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The magistrate, M. F. Onamusi, granted each of the defendants bail of N2 million with two sureties.

Ms Onamusi adjourned the case until November 8 for mention. 

(NAN)