A businessmen, Alphonsus Amaefule, who allegedly refused to pay the agreed N1million commission to an estate agent, was arraigned on Friday in an Oshodi Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.
Amaefule, 55, who resides at No. 5, Mosaku St., Mafoluku, Lagos, is being tried for fraud and stealing.
The prosecutor, Cpl. Kehinde Olatunde, told the court that the accused committed the offences on May 15 at No. 33, Alhaji Abdul Rasak St., Oshodi, Lagos.
He said that the accused and one Valentine Orieukwu conspired by refusing to pay one Mr Wole Adebayo his N1million commission over the sale of a building.
The accused converted the sum of N1million belonging to the complainant being the commission over the sales of a building,” the prosecutor said.
Olatunde said that the accused approached the complainant who is an estate agent that his elder brother wanted to sell his building and he needed his services.
“The accused employed the services of the complainant to help look for buyer for his elder brother’s house.
“They both entered an agreement that 10 per cent of the total sales of the building will be the complainant’s commission.
“But after the complainant sold the house, the accused refused to give him his 10 per cent commission which is N1million, he said.
The prosecutor said that the accused person was on the run and anytime the complainant called him, the accused would refuse to pick the call.
According to the prosecutor, if the complainant uses another phone number, the suspect will pick the call and cut the call after identifying the caller.
The offences, Olatunde said, contravened sections 278 and 410 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
Section 278 prescribes a three- year jail term as penalty for offenders.
The accused denied committing the offences and was granted bail in the sum of N50, 000 with one surety in like sum.
The Magistrate, Mr Akeem Fashola, adjourned the case till July 15 for mention.