Fake Landlord Swindles Church Of N2.5m In Rental Scam

LAGOS — A 68-year-old man, Iyewunmi Idonije, has been remanded in custody by the Igbosere Magistrate’s Court for allegedly defrauding members of St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, Mushin, of N2.5 million in a brazen rental scam.

The suspect reportedly posed as the landlord of a three-bedroom flat at 8 Adekitan Street, Mushin, convincing church representatives to pay N2 million as part-payment for renting the flat for their vicar.

The money was said to be intended for renovation works on the property.

According to police investigators, the transaction took place in April 2025, after which Idonije allegedly vanished with the funds.

Efforts to contact him were futile, prompting a petition to the Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG Adegoke Fayoade.

Church members were stunned when they later discovered the building had been demolished and that Idonije was not, in fact, the landlord.

Local residents corroborated that the suspect had no ownership rights to the property.

Following the petition, officers from the Zone 2 Police Command launched a manhunt and arrested Idonije at a hideout in Lagos.

He was brought before the Tinubu Magistrate’s Court on Lagos Island, where he faced a two-count charge of obtaining money under false pretences and stealing — offences contrary to Sections 314 and 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The defendant pleaded not guilty. Magistrate granted him bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties of like amount, but ordered his remand at the Ikoyi Correctional Facility pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions.

The matter has been adjourned to 1 August 2025 for further mention.