One Chizoba Maduba, 31, was on Wednesday charged before an Ejigbo Magistrates’ Court in Lagos State for allegedly selling his brother’s land valued at N30 million.
The Prosecutor, Cpl. Femi Adeleye, told the court that Maduba, who is the brother to the complainant, one Dr. Iyke Maduba, conspired with five others to sell the land entrusted in his care.
Adeleye said Maduba was charged alongside 52-year-old Alex Okorie, Emma Adebayo, 58, Nnamdi Onwukazo, 45, Ikechukwu Onuoha, 35 and Mauruf Olanrewaju, 52, for alleged involvement in land fraud.
According to reports, the accused are standing trial on a four-count-charge of felony, theft, forgery and unlawful possession.
The prosecutor said, “The complainant, Maduba, who was outside the country, entrusted the land to his brother for keep until he was set to build; but the brother forged the documents and sold it out.
“Two of the accused; Okorie and Onwukazo, now at large, in company of others, in October at Oke Afa, Ejigbo, Lagos State, conspired with the intention to commit felony and forgery,” the prosecutor said, adding that the accused forged the documents of the property, alleged to have been signed by his brother, Maduba to facilitate the sale of the land.
Speaking further, the prosecutor said, “His plan was to share the proceeds of the land if the business was successful but his brother showed up and discovered the conspiracy.”
Adeleye said the offences contravened Sections 409, 285 (9),(a), 363 (2)(e) and 318 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
Meanwhile, the accused pleaded not guilty.
The Magistrate, Mr. A.A. Fashola, granted each of the accused N500, 000 bail with two sureties each in like sum, ruling that the sureties’ addresses must be verified and certified by the court’s prosecutor.
Fashola adjourned the case till November 30 for further hearing.
NAN
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