A 36-year-old tenant, Akinola Babatunde, has been remanded in custody by a Lagos Magistrate’s Court after he was accused of fraudulently selling his landlord’s property for ₦45 million.
According to police investigators, Babatunde allegedly conspired with others still at large to sell the building located at No. 7, Fagbile Estate, Isheri Oshun, to one Ernest Dumbri Igbinedion, using forged documents.
The shocking twist, police said, is that the landlord had initially accommodated Babatunde in the property to help deter suspected land grabbers in the area.
However, the elaborate fraud reportedly unraveled when Igbinedion moved workers to the site to commence development — only for the rightful owner to storm the property, declaring that he never sold it to anyone.
Alarmed by the discovery, the landlord filed a petition to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 2 Command, AIG Adegoke Fayoade, who swiftly ordered Babatunde’s arrest.
The suspect was later arraigned before the Igbosere Magistrate’s Court, sitting at the Tinubu Magistrate’s Court, on a three-count charge of conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence, and stealing.
Police prosecutor, DSP Francis Igbinosa, told the court that the offences were committed in March 2025 at Fagbile Estate, Isheri Oshun, in violation of Sections 411, 314, and 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
Babatunde, however, pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Chief Magistrate A.O. Alogba granted the defendant bail and adjourned the case for further hearing.
