A 53-year-old estate agent, John Odunlami, on Thursday appeared before an Abeokuta Magistrate Court for allegedly duping an accommodation seeker of N5.3 million.
The defendant, whose address was not provided, is facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, fraud and stealing.
Odunlami, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The prosecutor, ASP Olakunle Shonibare, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on Nov. 19, 2018 at Isabo area in Abeokuta.
Shonibare explained that the defendant conspired with others now at large, collected the sum of N5.3 million from the complainant, Mr Joseph Olusegun, under the pretence of securing an apartment for him in Abeokuta.
He said the complainant, a retiree, who resides in Lagos, was planning to relocate to Abeokuta.
He said the defendant collected the money from the complainant and converted it to his personal use.
He noted that the offences contravened sections 516, 419 and 390(9) of the Criminal Laws of Ogun, 2006.
The Magistrate, Mrs Olajumoke Somefun, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N3 million with two sureties in like sum.
Somefun ordered that the sureties must be licenced bonds men recognised by the Ogun State Judiciary.
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She adjourned the case until April 25, for hearing.
