By: Ade Phillips
Adegboyega Rabiu has been brought before the Yaba Magistrate’s Court by the Lagos State Police Command, for allegedly embezzling N25 million from Lanre Badmus in Ikorodu.
The 50-year-old defendant, presented as an official from the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority, is accused of deceiving Badmus with false promises to secure approval for a hotel construction project in Ikorodu.
The charges include receiving money under false pretense and theft. Rabiu was arraigned before Magistrate Patrick Nwaka.
However, after the payment of N25m was made to him 16 months ago, the defendant could neither be reached nor did he get the permit.
Ayedun said, “He told me he worked with LASPPPA and that he would help me get building approval and permit for my hotel, this is 16 months gone and he did not even open a register,” he lamented.
The police prosecutor Thomas Nurudeen told the court that the defendant committed the crime on August 1, 2023
According to Nurudeen the offences contravene and are punishable under Sections 411, and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State Nigeria 2015.
The charges read, “That you, Adegboyega Rabiu and others now at large on August 1, 2023, in Ikorodu, Lagos State, in the Lagos Magisterial District did commit felony to wit: obtaining money by false pretence and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State Nigeria 2015.
“That you, Adegboyega Rabiu and others now at large on August 1, 2023, in Ikorodu, Lagos State, in the Lagos Magisterial District did streal the sum of N25m under the pretence of getting building approval and permit for one Lanre Ayedun a representation you knew to be false and thereby committed and an offence punishable under Section 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State Nigeria 2015.”
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against him.
The Magistrate Nwaka, following his plea, admitted him to bail in the sum of N2m with two responsible sureties in like sum.
Magistrate Nwaka also adjourned the case till January 1, 2024 for mention.
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