Mechanic docked over alleged attempt to sell neighbour’s land

FOR allegedly attempting to sell his neighbour’s plot of land, a 33-year-old mechanic, Michael Agunbiade, on Monday appeared before a Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.

Agunbiade, whose residential address was not provided, is being tried on a two-count charge of conspiracy and forcible entry.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecutor, Mr A. O. Nwabuisi told the court that the accused conspired with another person still at large to sell the plot of land sometime in June.

He said that the land, located at Oke Agbo, in Ikorodu, Lagos, belonged to Mr Akinbade Akinyemi, the accused’s neighbour.

“The accused was trying to sell the land when the complainant (Akinyemi) became aware of it through another neighbour.

“He claimed to be the rightful owner of the land since 2015 but he could not show any document to prove it,” Nwabuisi said.

The prosecutor told the court that the case was reported at the Ikorodu Police Station by Akinyemi.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the offences contravened Sections 52 and 410 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).

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Both sections 52 and 410 provide for two years’ jail term for offenders.

Chief Magistrate Oluwatoyin Oghere granted the accused N200,000 bail with two sureties in like sum.

Oghere ordered that both sureties should be gainfully employed and provide evidence of two years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

The case was adjourned until Oct. 10 for the mention.