Lagos : Government seizes houses used for fraud

The Lagos State Government has said that it seized two houses which have been used to defraud some accommodation seekers in the state.

Making this known at a press briefing to commemorate the first year of the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led administration, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Housing, Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka said that the government had resolved to prosecute any developer or agent caught defrauding members of the public.

Benson-Awoyinka, who is also in charge of the Lagos State Real Estate Transaction Department, said her office was prosecuting two developers who defrauded members of the public in the Ketu and Mafoluku areas.

She said government had seized their properties, which would be sold to repay their victims.

The special adviser, however, appealed to residents to always patronise agents and developers registered with government.

“We have successfully reviewed the Lagos State Estate Agency Regulatory Law, Cap. L28, Laws of Lagos State, 2015, which provides for the establishment of the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority.

The essence of this law is to regulate real estate transactions in Lagos State by identifying persons eligible to be licensed as real estate practitioners and provide for the issuance or renewal of annual permits,” she added.

Benson-Awoyinka pointed out that the state had the responsibility of maintaining a register of licensed real estate practitioners and sanctioning unlicensed agents in the state.

Buhari sacks NECO registrar, 4 others for fraud

President Muhammadu Buhari has terminated the appointment of Charles Uwakwe as registrar of National Examinations Council and four other management staff for various offences.

Their removal comes after a panel investigating allegations of misconduct against them while they were on suspension recommended they be removed.

A May 11 letter signed by the permanent secretary Sonny Echono said Uwakwe was accused of violating public procurement act.

A statement from the council’s head of information and public relations, Azeez Sani, said the “President in exercise of his powers, has approved your removal as Registrar/Chief Executive Officer of National Examinations Council with effect from the date of your suspension from duty”.

He was directed to hand over all government properties in his custody to the Acting Registrar of the Council.

The affected officers are: Mr. Bamidele Olure, Acting Director (Finance and Accounts), Dr. Shina Adetona, Head of Procurement Division, Mr. Tayo Odukoya, Deputy Director and Barr. Babatunde Aina, Head of Legal/Board matters.

Olure, Acting Director (Finance and Accounts), was dismissed financial impropriety and not qualified to Head the Finance and Accounts Department.

Adetona was dismissed for acts tantamount to fraudulent practices, sabotage and suppression of official records.

Odukoya was dismissed for acts of serious misconduct.

The letter directed the management of NECO to Commence the process of recovering ill-gotten benefits/gains from Odukoya who acted as Director of a company (M/S I-web Solutions) while in service of Government.

Aina was dismissed from service for falsification of records and dishonesty in the sale of NECO Guest House, which is being investigated by the EFCC.