Alleged N8.4m Fraud: Court Issues Arrest Warrant Against Property Developer

Chief Magistrate Ademola Olatunbosun of the Yaba Magistrates’s Court, Lagos, has issued an arrest warrant against 49-year-old Abiola Afolabi Sarafadeen, a self-acclaimed property developer, for failing to appear before the court to face trial on charges of fraud and stealing levelled against him by the police.

The defendant was charged on September 20, 2023, with obtaining by false pretence and stealing the sum of N8.4 million.

He was alleged to have fraudulently obtained the money from one Monsurat Shobowale Olabisi, with the pretence of building three units of bedroom flats for her, a presentation he knew to be false.

According to the prosecutor, Mrs. Rita Momah, a superintendent of police, the offences contravene sections 314 and 287 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015 and are punishable under the same Laws.

Sarafadeen, however, denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Following his not-guilty plea, he was granted bail of N1 million with two sureties in like sum.

The magistrate also ordered that the sureties must be gainfully employed, with evidence of three years of tax payment.

However, since the defendant was released on bail, he has failed and refused to appear in court to face his trial.

Following his refusal to appear in court, the prosecutor, Supol Momah, asked the court to issue a bench warrant against the defendant.

The magistrate, after listening to the prosecutor and perusing the court’s record, acceded to the prosecutor’s request and held that “the defendant is placed on bench warrant and surety to show cause.”

Further hearing on the matter has been adjourned to April 10 for mention.