An Ebute-Meta Chief Magistrates’ Court, on Wednesday, sentenced one Alhaji Ayobami Oseni, a property developer to 2,670 years imprisonment for defrauding 133 accommodation seekers the sum of N25 million.

Chief Magistrate O. O. Olatunji convicted Oseni after he pleaded guilty to 267 counts of conspiracy, obtaining under false pretences and stealing.

The accused was handed 10 years imprisonment on each of the 267 counts without an option of fine.

The Chief Magistrate said the sentences are to run concurrently, noting that it will take effect from April 26, last year when Oseni was remanded in prison custody after the revocation of his bail.

The court ruled that the convict will forfeit his building to the Lagos State Government, and ordered the state to sell it and share the proceeds among the 133 victims.

The Nation reports that when Oseni’s trial started on February 27, 2013, prosecuting counsel Abraham Fadipe, an Assistant Superintendent of Police described him as the developer of a one-storey building at 3, Church Close, Ajao Estate, Lagos.

Fadipe told the court that Oseni posed as a landlord to the building containing four mini-flats and two self-contained apartments, and erected vacancy signs around Ajao Estate while the building was under construction.

The prosecutor said Oseni collected house rents, agency and agreement fees ranging from N160,000 to N300,000 and totalling N25m from at least 133 accommodation seekers on the pretext that each of them would get an apartment in the building.

Fadipe called five witnesses, four of whom testified that when they arrived at the property to take possession, it was already occupied.

He said the prospective tenants petitioned the Lagos State Real Estate Transaction Department (LASRETRAD).

Fadipe further revealed that when he asked Oseni why he collected money from so many people, he said,

“As a developer, one must not reject money.”