Justice I.O. Ijelu of the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja sentenced Abodurin Gerald Abozo to 8 years in prison for land fraud October 2, 2024.

Abozo was officially charged with two distinct counts on October 15, 2023, which include obtaining money under false pretenses and committing theft. The first charge revolves around Abozo, who was conducting his business affairs under the name S.G.B. as well as A Property Lines Company. Back in the year 2013, he allegedly tricked Engineer Samuel Segher into paying the substantial amount of N62 million for the purchase of two plots of land located in a place known as Chevy Estate. At the time, Abozo falsely claimed that he was selling these plots, despite the fact that he had no real intention to complete the sale or transfer ownership of the land. His actions were aimed at deceiving Engineer Segher and unlawfully taking his money under the guise of a legitimate real estate transaction.

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The second charge claimed that he unlawfully used the same amount belonging to Segher. Abozo pleaded “not guilty,” leading to a full trial where prosecution counsel M.S. Owede presented two witnesses and submitted various documents including Abozo’s extra-judicial statement, all of which were accepted by the court.

In the judgment, Justice Ijelu sentenced Abozo to 7 years for the first count & one year for the second count, without the option of a fine. He was also ordered to repay the N62 million to the victim.