Two men have been arrested and arraigned for allegedly defrauding a land buyer of N7 million in a fake property transaction in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State.
The suspects, identified as Toafeek Adebesin and Wasiu Adesina, were picked up by operatives of the Zone 2 Police Command after they allegedly posed as rightful owners of a parcel of land and sold it to one Mr. Ogochukwu Ndidi Asota.
According to police sources, the incident happened in Oloye Village, Erunwen, Ikorodu. The complainant, Asota, reportedly paid N7 million for three acres of land, believing the suspects had legal ownership of the property.
Trouble started when Asota began construction on the land and was confronted by the actual owners, who denied ever selling the property. They also asked workers to vacate the site, prompting Asota to report the matter to the police.
Acting on a petition addressed to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 2, AIG Adegoke Fayoade, detectives led by SP Stanley Igbinovia launched an investigation and tracked the suspects to their hideout in Lagos, where they were arrested.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the land did not belong to Adebesin and Adesina, and that the money collected from the victim had been diverted for personal use.
The duo was subsequently charged before the Igbosere Magistrate’s Court, sitting at the Tinubu Magistrate’s Court, Lagos Island, on a three-count charge of conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence, and stealing. These offences are in violation of Sections 411, 314, and 287 of the Lagos State Criminal Law, 2015.
Police prosecutor, DSP Francis Igbinosa, told the court that the offence was committed in 2022 when the defendants knowingly sold a piece of land that belonged to another family.
Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. D.S. Amos, granted them bail in the sum of N1 million each, with two sureties in like sum. The sureties must show evidence of means and be verified by the court.
Pending the fulfilment of their bail conditions, Adebesin and Adesina were ordered to be remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre.
The case has been adjourned until October 14, 2025, for mention.
Cases of land fraud have become increasingly common in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria, with unsuspecting buyers often falling victim to fake land agents or impersonators. Security agencies have repeatedly warned prospective landowners to conduct proper verification with relevant authorities before making any payment.
