Prosecutors accuse the defendants of obtaining money by false pretence, issuing dud cheques and forcibly entering disputed property in Lagos
Businessman Sanusi Mohammed, identified in court documents as an employee of Aiteo, and Kamilu Bakare, popularly known as “Baba Dudu”, have been arraigned in Lagos over alleged Aiteo staff land fraud involving ₦18 million, dishonoured cheques and the forcible entry into disputed property in Eti-Osa Local Government Area.
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The defendants, alongside other suspects said to be at large, are facing multiple criminal charges after prosecutors alleged that they fraudulently sold a plot of land located at Ajakaye Village, Sangotedo, Lagos, to businessman Onyeka Egwudo of Hunds Oil Ltd despite allegedly lacking lawful ownership of the property.
According to the charge, the defendants allegedly represented themselves as the rightful owners of the land and collected ₦18 million from Egwudo, knowing the claim to ownership was false.
Prosecutors further alleged that Mohammed later attempted to refund part of the money by issuing two Zenith Bank cheques with a combined value of ₦14.584 million.
The prosecution, however, claimed that both cheques were returned unpaid after the bank found insufficient funds in the account.
The alleged issuance of the dishonoured cheques forms a separate count in the criminal proceedings, with prosecutors accusing Mohammed of issuing financial instruments that could not be honoured upon presentation.
In another count, Mohammed, Bakare and the other suspects were accused of forcibly entering the disputed parcel of land despite prosecutors claiming that the property was already in the peaceful possession of Egwudo.
The prosecution argued that the alleged entry was capable of causing a breach of the peace.
As a result, the defendants are facing charges bordering on obtaining money by false pretence, issuing dishonoured cheques and forcible entry.
The allegations have not been proven in court, and the defendants remain entitled to the presumption of innocence until the conclusion of the trial.
Land disputes remain among the most common sources of civil and criminal litigation in Lagos, particularly in rapidly developing areas such as Sangotedo, where rising property values have fuelled competing ownership claims, multiple land sales and allegations of fraud.
Legal practitioners have repeatedly advised prospective buyers to conduct comprehensive due diligence, including title verification at the Lagos State Land Registry and physical confirmation of ownership, before purchasing property.
The latest prosecution underscores the legal risks associated with disputed land transactions and the growing scrutiny by law enforcement agencies of allegations involving fraudulent property sales and financial deception.
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If convicted, the defendants could face penalties prescribed under the relevant provisions of Nigeria’s criminal laws governing obtaining by false pretence, dishonoured cheques and offences relating to unlawful entry onto land.
Victory Emmanuel is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, business, and public affairs.
