Lawyer Docked For N20m Property Fraud

A lawyer, Lere Fashola, has been remanded in custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service for alleged N20 million property fraud.

Justice Sherifat Solebo of the Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja ordered that Fashola, who is also the organiser of Esquire Nigerian Legal Awards, be kept in custody after he was arraigned before her by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The lawyer was docked before the court alongside his company, Legal Blitz Limited on a three-count charge of stealing and issuance of dud cheques.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.

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Justice Selebo order that he be kept in custody “pending the hearing and the determination of the bail application.

According to the judge, “The defendant is ordered to be remanded at the correctional facility.”

EFCC Prosecutor, Joy Amahian, said the defendants committed the offences in Lagos between Jan. 5 to Feb. 28, 2018, saying that the lawyer was arrested, following a petition by a client, Adeyemi Adebola, who alleged that Fashola had under false pretences, obtained N20 million from him during a transaction for the purchase of a property.

She said the property is located at Plot 732, Block XXVII (27), Omole Residential Scheme, Phase 2, Isheri, Lagos.

The anti-graft agency alleged that the defendant dishonestly converted to his own use, N20 million which was deposited by Adebola for the purchase of the property.