Williams Abel, a 49-year-old estate agent who reportedly cheated his landlady of N1.9 million, was arraigned before an Ejigbo Magistrates’ Court in Lagos on Wednesday.
Abel is facing a four-count accusation that includes theft, conversion, and breach of peace.
He, however, pleaded not guilty to all of the allegations levelled against him.
The prosecutor, Insp Benedict Aigbokhan, told the court that the defendant committed the crimes at No. 11, Awoshika St., Isheri-Olafin, Lagos, sometime in 2017.
He claimed that the defendant stole N400,000 from his landlady, Mrs Grace Adegbola (complainant), in order to purchase a car for her.
According to Aigbokhan, the defendant purchased the car but changed the paperwork to his own name before selling it without the landlady’s permission.
He further claimed that the defendant ejected the grandchildren of the landlady from the house without her permission.
According to the prosecutor, the defendant also transferred N740,000 in rent money obtained from tenants for his personal use.
By refusing to pay his three years and three months accrued rent of N812,000, the defendant acted in a manner likely to create a breach of peace, according to Aigbokhan.
He said the offenses were in violation of Sections 165(d), 168, and 287(7) of the Lagos State Criminal Law, 2015.
The Magistrate, Mrs K.A. Ariyo, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500,000, with two sureties in like sum.
She, thereafter, adjourned the case till April 28, for mention.
