A 51-year-old estate agent, Olanrewaju Animasaun, on Thursday, appeared before a Surulere Chief Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, for allegedly defrauding three accommodation seekers of N962,000.

Animasaun, whose address was not provided, is facing a two-court charge of obtaining money by false pretence and stealing.

The Prosecutor, Insp Courage Ekhueorohan, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on July 6 at Adetola Street, Aguda, Surulere, Lagos.

Ekhueorohan said that the defendant collected the N962,000 from the complainants,  Mr Afeez Olalekan, Miss Elizabeth Uzoechi and Mr Adewale Sholeye, on the pretext that he would help them rent different apartments, which he failed to do.

He stated further that the defendant converted the money to his personal use and that all efforts at retrieving the money proved abortive.

According to Ekhueorohan, the offences contravene Sections 280 and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The Magistrate, Mrs M.I. Dan-Oni, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N200,000, with two sureties in like sum.

Dan-Oni, thereafter, adjourned the case till Oct. 7 for mention.