Those who want to buy land or property in Uyo and its environs would have to look before they leap so that they would not fall among the robbers.
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has smashed a syndicate that specializes in fraudulent land deals. Recently, the gang allegedly defrauded a man of Fifteen Million (N15,000,000.00) for a parcel of land owned by Pastor Francis Anso whom the gang impersonated.
Our source revealed that one Monday Eyo Akpan, 32, a native of Effiat Offot and business man, residing thereat, in Uyo Local Government Area had received a man who wanted to buy land. The man who later became a victim of fraud was introduced to him by one Aniedi Sunday alias Fashion and wife, Blessing. The land, which is an authentic property of Pastor Francis Anso is located at Shelter Afrique extension, Uyo. The man of God had commissioned a land agent to look for a buyer. The photocopy of the survey plan is said to have been given to the agent who gave same, without suspicion, to Monday Akpan who alongside other fraudsters contacted some unpatriotic officials of the ministry of Lands and Housing to produce an alternative original in the name of Pastor Anso.
Sources said it was this fabricated document that the syndicate used in convincing the victim who fell prey to their fraud and part-paid for the land at Ukat Aran village (Nsit Ubium L.G.A) in the compound of one Sunday Sunday Ukpong alias Father where Monday Akpan was feigning sickness complete with white clay on a “sick bed”, saying that the money was meant for treatment abroad.
A dependable source revealed that the choice of venue for cash payment was the idea of Ukpong who until his arrest was based in Eket. Other partners in crime, sources said, include Sunday Sunday Ukpong, and one Madam Blessing who is alleged to be an unrepentant serial fraudster with penchant for jumping bails. A pending criminal case at an Uyo magistrate court where she is standing trail under a fake name, Glory Christopher testifies to that. Security sources said her surety had spent some months in prison custody since she took to her heels until the police arrested her in connection with the land sale fraud. A source alleged that she was the one who actually introduced the land deal that now lands them in trouble. Another alleged fraudster known as Barry who lives at Obot Idim Ibesikpo was also in the known. The proceed of the alleged fraud is said to have been shared among those in the deal. Police sources said that manhunt has been declared on Daniel James, one Ekong and Joe who enjoyed the fruit of the fraud even as they are said to be making desperate attempt to kill the case using superior police authority.
Our crime reporter gathered that the land fraud victim was issued power of attorney duly signed by late Barr. Udo Eyop who apparently acted on the “valid” documents presented by the fraudsters. The victim is said to have nursed no iota of doubt or premonition of scam, even as he had been shown the fenced land with “valid” documents. But the bubble burst when the real owner, Pastor Anso found out that the padlock of the gate to the land had been changed even when he did not sell same to anyone. Accordingly, Pastor Anso wrote a notice on the gate intimating the member of the public that the said “property is not for sale. Beware of 419”. It was this notice that the victim saw and called the mobile number of Pastor Anso who blew the lid.
A lawyer who commented on the growing dirty deals in the property sub-sector advised that an exhaustive investigation should always be carried out to authenticate the bona-fide ownership of property. He also counseled that traditional rulers within the location of the property should be witnesses as they cannot easily flee their domains.
Contacted the police image maker of Akwa Ibom State Command, Etim Dickson (DSP) could not confirm the story as at the time of filing this report.
No comments:
Post a Comment