The police on Wednesday arraigned two estate agents – Adeola Ojo, 49, and Abiodun Akinlabi, 48 – before an Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan over alleged N7.6 million rent fraud.
The duo, whose addresses were not provided, were charged with conspiracy, obtaining money under false pretences, and stealing.
They, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The prosecutor, Insp Olagoke Adegbenro, told the court that the defendants committed the offences in February 2025 at the Iwo Road area of Ibadan.
Adegbenro alleged that the defendants fraudulently obtained a total sum of N7.6 million from different accommodation seekers.
He said the defendants fraudulently obtained the sum of N5,950,000 from one Oluwaseun Lawal under the pretext of renting a house for him.
He alleged that the defendants fraudulently obtained N700,000 from another person, one Mrs Victoria Omotayo, under the pretext of renting a two-bedroom flat for her.
Adegbenro said the defendants also fraudulently obtained N980,000 from one Sanusi Adeniyi and a few others under the same pretext.
According to him, the defendants failed to rent the flats to the complainants, rather converted the money to their personal use.
He said offences contravened Sections 516, 419 and 390(9) of the Criminal Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
The Magistrate, Mrs Olasinmibo Sanusi-Zubair granted the defendants bail in the sum of N1 million each with two sureties each in like sum.
She thereafter adjourned the case until July 29 for hearing.
