Ayeni Olusakin, a property developer from Abeokuta, Ogun state, has been defrauded of N5 million by his friend and business partner, Surajudeen Abdulrahman. Olusakin alleges Abdulrahman sold him a non-existent plot of land to fund his relocation to Canada.
According to a report by FIJ [Foundation for Investigative Journalism], Abdulrahman approached Olusakin in December 2023 with the land sale proposition. Having built a business relationship with Abdulrahman for four years, Olusakin trusted his partner and proceeded with the purchase.
The report further reveals that Abdulrahman admitted to the fraudulent sale when contacted by FIJ in February 2024. He reportedly promised a full refund with interest, claiming he needed time to settle into his new life in Canada. However, as of April 14, 2024, Olusakin has not received any refund, and Abdulrahman has ceased communication.
This incident highlights the importance of due diligence in property transactions, even when dealing with trusted individuals. Property developers like Olusakin should conduct thorough background checks and verification of land ownership before committing to a purchase.
The case also raises concerns about fraudulent practices employed to fund immigration. Authorities may want to investigate such schemes to protect potential victims and ensure a fair immigration process.
