A 39-year-old estate agent, Moses Ayere, on Monday, appeared before a Surulere Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos, for allegedly defrauding an accommodation seeker of N500,000.

Ayere, who resides at No 17, Ekololu St., Surulere, Lagos, is facing a two count charge of obtaining money by false pretences and stealing.

The Prosecutor, Insp. Courage Ekhueorohan, told the court that the defendant allegedly committed the offences sometime in May, at No 24, Falolu St., Surulere, Lagos.

Ekhueorohan alleged that Ayere obtained the sum of N500,000 from the complainant, one Abiodun Moshood, on the pretext that he would rent out a three-bedroom apartment to her.

He told the court that the defendant knowing his presentation was false, allegedly converted the money to his personal use and failed to provide the complainant with the said desired accommodation.

According to Ekhueorohan, the offences contravene Sections 287 and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

 Section 314 attracts 15 years for obtaining under false pretenses.

The Magistrate, Mrs O. O. Otitoju, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N250,000, with two responsible sureties in like sum.

Otitoju adjourned the matter until June 27 for mention.