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The headline has been refined to include the relevant search terms ₦11 million farmland fraud, Ogun State police and land fraud, while preserving the original news development.
Akinyosola Akinlamon, the third individual allegedly connected to the transaction, remains at large, according to the police.
The command said efforts were continuing to locate and arrest him so that everyone allegedly involved in the transaction could face the appropriate legal process.
The case is being handled by the Ogun State Police Command, with the investigation reportedly establishing the roles of the two arrested suspects and the outstanding individual.
The police said the prosecution would proceed following the conclusion of the investigation. Punch Newspapers
How the alleged ₦11m farmland transaction happened
According to the police investigation, the alleged transaction took place between June and November 2025.
During that period, the petitioner, Kazeem Olanrewaju, allegedly entered into an agreement with the suspects and another individual to purchase 20 acres of agricultural land.
The property was described as cocoa and kola nut farmland situated at Apora Village in Ogun State.
The investigation indicated that the transaction involved discussions and payments connected to the proposed sale of the agricultural property. Olanrewaju allegedly paid the individuals a combined sum of ₦11m after being led to believe that the farmland would be transferred to him.
However, the police said the promised transfer was never completed.
Investigators also alleged that the money received from the petitioner was diverted for personal use rather than being applied towards completing the transaction or returned to the buyer.
The alleged failure to transfer the farmland or refund the payment eventually resulted in a petition that prompted police intervention.
Although the details of the original agreement have not been fully disclosed, the allegations raise questions about the handling of land transactions, payment arrangements and the responsibilities of individuals involved in property sales.
For the petitioner, the central issue is the alleged loss of ₦11m without receiving the agricultural property he intended to purchase.
The police investigation was intended to establish how the money was collected, who participated in the transaction and whether the conduct amounted to criminal offences.
Police track down suspect who reportedly fled to Osun
One of the significant developments in the investigation was the arrest of Oluwaseyi Oluwatosin Olaleye.
The police disclosed that the 44-year-old suspect reportedly left Ogun State and travelled to Osun State in an attempt to avoid arrest.
However, police operatives subsequently traced his whereabouts and apprehended him.
His arrest formed part of the investigation that eventually led to the decision to prosecute him alongside the second suspect, Tirisimiyu Balogun.
The command also identified Akinyosola Akinlamon as another individual allegedly connected to the transaction. Unlike the two arrested suspects, Akinlamon had not been apprehended when the police issued their statement.
The police said efforts were ongoing to locate him and bring him before the appropriate authorities.
The development demonstrates the investigative work involved in cases where individuals allegedly connected to financial transactions are located in different states.
It also means that the police investigation has not entirely ended from an enforcement perspective, even though the command says it has completed its investigation into the allegations against the two arrested men.
Why the case involves advance fee fraud and money laundering allegations
The charges mentioned by the police include advance fee fraud, money laundering and criminal conspiracy.
Advance fee fraud generally involves obtaining money or another financial benefit through a false representation or promise. In the context of this case, the police allege that the suspects obtained money by presenting the farmland sale as a legitimate transaction without subsequently delivering the property.
Money laundering concerns the handling or movement of proceeds suspected to have originated from unlawful activities. The police said their investigation indicated that the ₦11m was diverted for personal use.
Criminal conspiracy, meanwhile, concerns an alleged agreement between two or more individuals to carry out an unlawful act.
These are serious allegations, but their inclusion in a police statement does not establish that the suspects committed the offences. The prosecution must present evidence before the court, and the defendants have the right to challenge the allegations.
The distinction is important because financial disagreements involving property transactions do not automatically amount to criminal fraud.
A failed land sale may arise from contractual disagreements, ownership disputes, incomplete documentation or other circumstances. Whether a particular transaction amounts to a criminal offence depends on the evidence and the applicable law.
In this instance, the police say their investigation uncovered evidence suggesting that the transaction involved more than an ordinary disagreement over the completion of a property sale.
The Federal High Court will have to consider the charges and the evidence presented by the prosecution in accordance with the law.
What the Ogun farmland fraud case means for property buyers
The alleged ₦11m fraud has renewed attention on the risks associated with purchasing agricultural land and other properties without completing the necessary verification procedures.
Land remains an important investment in Ogun State, particularly because of its agricultural activities, expanding residential communities and commercial development.
However, buyers can encounter difficulties when they rely entirely on verbal agreements, informal intermediaries or promises that have not been supported by proper documentation.
One important step before purchasing farmland is establishing the identity of the person claiming ownership or authority to sell the property.
Buyers should also verify the property’s location, boundaries, ownership history and relevant documentation before making substantial payments.
Depending on the nature and location of the property, verification may involve checking available records with the appropriate land registry and consulting qualified legal and surveying professionals.
A buyer should also ensure that the person receiving payment is legally entitled to participate in the transaction.
Written agreements are particularly important because they establish the terms of the proposed sale, payment obligations, responsibilities of the parties and the conditions for transferring ownership.
Where payments are made in instalments, receipts and appropriate transaction records can help establish how much has been paid and what remains outstanding.
These precautions cannot eliminate every risk, but they can help buyers identify problems before committing significant funds.
The Ogun case also demonstrates why individuals should avoid treating the possession of farmland or the ability to show prospective buyers around a property as sufficient evidence of legal ownership.
A proper investigation of title and the authority to sell should take place before a transaction is completed.
Court proceedings to determine the allegations
With the police investigation concluded, the two arrested suspects are expected to face prosecution before the Federal High Court in Abeokuta.
The court proceedings will provide an opportunity for the prosecution to present its case and for the defendants to respond to the allegations.
The police have also stressed that the suspects should not be regarded as guilty before a court of competent jurisdiction determines the matter.
The prosecution will need to establish the relevant elements of the alleged offences through admissible evidence. The defendants, in turn, retain their constitutional rights to a fair hearing and legal representation.
The outstanding suspect, Akinyosola Akinlamon, also remains a subject of the police’s efforts to complete the investigation and bring all individuals connected with the alleged transaction before the appropriate authorities.
For Olanrewaju, the legal process represents an opportunity to pursue accountability over the money he allegedly paid for the farmland.
However, the question of whether he will recover the ₦11m is separate from the determination of criminal responsibility and will depend on the relevant legal proceedings and any recovery measures available.
The case serves as another reminder of the importance of transparency and proper documentation in Nigeria’s property market.
As proceedings move forward, the central issues will be whether the prosecution can establish the alleged fraudulent arrangement, how the money was handled and what roles the individual defendants played in the transaction.
Until the court reaches a decision, the allegations against Olaleye and Balogun remain unproven.
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