Civil servant gets N5m bail over N46m land fraud

A 45-year-old civil servant, Olusegun Akinsanya, who allegedly obtained N46 million from a woman, Esther Funmilayo, on the pretext of getting governor’s consent in allocating six plots of land to her, on Friday in Lagos got a reprieve of N5 million bail.

Akinsanya, who entered a `not-guilty’ plea, is facing a four-count charge of conspiracy, stealing, obtaining by false pretences and presumption as to false pretences in certain circumstances at an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court.

Magistrate Davies Abegunde, who gave the ruling, also granted the accused two sureties in like sum as part of the bail condition.

Abegunde said the sureties must be gainfully employed and also show evidence of two years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Sgt. Raphael Donny told the court that the accused committed the offences between year 2011 and 2012 at Alausa area of Ikeja.

Donny alleged that the accused, who resides at Agege area of Lagos, conspired with others now at large to defraud Funmilayo.

According to him, Akinsanya obtained N46 million from the complainant with a promise to get governor’s consent and allocate six plots of landed property at Abijo area of Ajah to her but failed to do so,

“The complainant said that when she did not get any feedback from the accused, she became worried and decided to call him.

“Funmilayo said she called the accused several times on phone, but got no response.

“The complainant said that when she eventually reached the accused on phone, she decided to ask for a refund, but the accused failed to pay her back.

“She said after so much persistence on her part, Akinsanya gave her a cheque of N10 million.

“Funmilayo said that when she presented the cheque at the bank it was dishonored due to insufficient funds in the accused’s account.

“The complainant reported the case to the police and the accused was apprehended and taken to the police station for further questioning, ” Donny said.

The offences contravened Sections 285, 312, 319 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The accused risks a 15-year jail term on conviction, according to the provisions of the Criminal Law.

The magistrate adjourned the case to Feb. 13 for mention.