Published 15th Sep, 2021

By Emmanuel Uti

Mukaila Salau, a land developer, has absconded with part of a tenant’s rent after leasing the same apartment to two house seekers in Jakande Estate, Iyana Ipaja, Lagos.

Adegoke, one of the victims of Salau’s fraud, said he was homeless for months as a result.

“A colleague told me he would leave his apartment for Ilorin. He then suggested that I moved in instead of paying for a new apartment,” he said.

“I agreed because I thought I would not pay agreement and commission charges. But when I met the developer, he insisted I paid all charges,” Adegoke said.

Adegoke paid the developer N250,000 rent on December 5, 2020, and N10,000 for an item in the apartment. However, he met a tenant in the apartment when he visited few days later.

“I asked the developer why another person had moved into the room. But he frustrated my efforts with his ‘intelligent’ lies,” Adegoke told FIJ.

“He would always lie when I asked him certain questions. He even told me the new occupant would leave the house at the end of the month, but till now she’s there.”

When Salau observed lies could no longer pacify Adegoke, he refunded N190,000 to him in January 2021. Adegoke continued to pester him for his balance, but he got nothing.

“He has over four wives. He avoided the house I know of so I wouldn’t get him. The new occupant later gave me N30,000, in March, for some items I had put in the house. Since then, I have been chasing Salau with calls for my balance of N40,000,” he said.

“I suffered the consequences of Salau’s actions. I squatted for months because I had no house. I could not even account for how I spent the N190,000 he refunded. This man has made my life so miserable.”

When FIJ contacted Salau, he admitted to owing Adegoke N40,000. He said he had always had him in mind but could not pay, as his finances were in a mess.

“Before the month ends, I will pay him his N40,000. Even if it means paying him N20,000 twice, I will pay. I promise, ” he said.

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