N130m land fraud: Court fixes date for arraignment of Ojikutu

A Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday fixed Thursday for the arraignment of Alhaja Sinatu Ojikutu, charged with N130 million fraud.
Ojikutu, a former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, is charged on three-counts of conspiracy, fraud and stealing.
When the case was mentioned, the Prosecutor, Bukola Durojaiye, prayed the court for a short adjournment to enable the police assemble the necessary documents.
Durojaiye said that there were also some administrative issues to be sorted out before the arraignment of the accused.
He, therefore, urged the court to adjourn the case to Thursday to enable the prosecution to produce the accused in court.
The Counsel to the accused, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN), did not object to the prayer for adjournment.
Justice Mohammed Yunusa adjourned the case to Thursday for arraignment.
The accused is being charged by the Police Special Fraud Unit.
In the charge, Ojikutu is alleged to have committed the offence in September 2011.
She is alleged to have conspired with Sampson Ojikutu, who is now at large, to fraudulently obtain N130 million from Cajetan Okekearu.
The money was allegedly obtained under the pretence that they possessed a plot of land to sell at Lekki Phase 1, Victoria Island, Lagos.
However, the complainant was said to have later discovered that their claim of ownership was false, since there was an already existing title to the land.
The offences contravene the provisions of Sections 1(a) (iii), and 8 (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, Cap. A6, Laws of the Federation, 2004.
Some aspects also contravene the provisions of Section 390(9) of the Criminal Code Act, Cap. C38, Vol. 10, Laws of the Federation, 2010.
Section 1(1) (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud Act provides for a term of not more than 20 years imprisonment and not less than seven years for fraud.
Section 390 (9) of the Criminal Code Act stipulates seven years imprisonment for the offence of stealing.