Car Dealer and Accomplice arraigned for N13.5m Property Fraud

In a significant development highlighting the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) relentless pursuit of justice, a 56-year-old car dealer, Rasaq Abolaji Mumini, and Mrs Lawal Olawande Mariam have been arraigned before Justice Kamorudeen Olawoyin of the Oyo State High Court for their alleged involvement in a N13.5 million property fraud.

The Ilorin Zonal Command of the EFCC brought charges against Mumini and Mrs. Mariam for purportedly selling a forfeited property without due authorization and obtaining money under false pretences. The case, which unfolded on Monday, February 5, 2024, sheds light on the intricate web of deceit and unlawful transactions.

According to the charges presented before the court, Mumini and Mrs Mariam stand accused of unlawfully selling a four-bedroom apartment located at Dubere in Ogbomosho, Surulere Local Government Area of Oyo State. This property, under EFCC attachment, was allegedly sold to Mrs. Felicia Adeyemi for the sum of N13.5 million without proper authorization.

The first count of the charge against the defendants outlines the gravity of their actions:

“That you, Rasaq Abolaji, Lawal Olawande Mariam and others still at large sometime in December 2022, at Ogbomosho, Oyo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, without due authorization sold a Four Bedroom Apartment situated at Dubere Area of Surulere Local Government Area of Oyo State to Mrs Felicia Adeyemi at the sum of N13,500,000.00 (Thirteen Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira Only) a property that was subject of attachment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 32 (1) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act 2004.”

Further investigations into the matter revealed a complex network of deceit. Mrs Mariam, identified as the wife of the property owner, Mr Adebayo Abiodun, allegedly sought Mumini’s assistance in removing the EFCC’s inscription from the property. The Commission had marked the apartment after discovering its acquisition with proceeds from unlawful activities.

Moreover, it came to light that Mumini, exploiting Mrs Mariam’s predicament, falsely claimed to require N3,050,000 from her to remove the EFCC’s inscription. This amount was purportedly demanded by EFCC operatives to clean the Commission’s inscription from the apartment.

Despite the charges brought against them, both Mumini and Mrs Mariam pleaded not guilty, signalling the commencement of legal proceedings against them. Justice Olawoyin, presiding over the case, ordered the defendants’ remand in EFCC custody pending the hearing of their bail applications, scheduled for Monday, February 12, 2024.

The case underscores the EFCC’s unwavering commitment to upholding the rule of law and combating financial crimes. As the trial progresses, it is expected to shed further light on the complexities of the alleged property fraud, ensuring that justice prevails and perpetrators are held accountable for their actions.