Fake developer defraud Lagos tenants of N500m
A suspected fake developer, Ahmed Ayinde, has been arrested by men of the Lagos State Police Command for allegedly defrauding no fewer than 100 prospective tenants in the Olowo Ira area of the state.
It was gathered that the victims paid for different flats in a one-storey building in No. 5 Ayedun Street, Olowo Ira, being developed by Ayinde.
After receiving payments, it was learnt that Ayinde and his accomplices told the prospective tenants that they needed some time to complete renovation works on the building.
It was agreed that after the renovation was completed, keys to the prospective flats would be handed over to the tenants.
However, drama ensued on Wednesday when efforts by some of the prospective tenants to access their flats proved abortive.
A victim, said he was surprised that over eight persons paid for the same flat he paid for, adding that a lot of intending tenants were stranded because people had occupied all the flats in the building.
He said, “I paid N300,000 cash for a room into one Ibrahim’s bank account. I paid since March 2021, but could not pack in because they said they were renovating the house. I have been coming to this house al most everyday and usually meet an engineer and bricklayers working on the building.
“I was told to come and collect the key to my flat today when everything changed. I have been calling Ibrahim but his number is not connecting”.
The State Police Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, said the X-Squad Unit of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, had commenced investigation into the matter, adding that suspects had ben arrested.
He said, “Alhaji Ahmad Ayinde is the developer who owns the company in charge of the project. They were trying to renovate the building and collected money from intending tenants.
“Unfortunately, the tenants couldn’t get the apartments they paid for. We have a suspect in custody and we are trying to get other accomplices.
“They have provision for just 15 people but they went ahead to collect money from many people. We want to assure the victims that justice would be done in this regard”.
