A trusted housing deal turned sour in Ado-Ekiti after a property agent gambled away a tenant’s ₦225k rent money.
The incident has sparked fresh outrage and renewed calls for tighter checks on real estate practices across Nigeria.
A property agent in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, has found himself in serious legal trouble after allegedly diverting funds meant for rent into online gambling activities. The suspect, identified as Olamilekan Olaitan, reportedly used ₦225,000 entrusted to him by a prospective tenant to place virtual bets on the popular online gaming platform, Bet9ja.
Olaitan, who hails from the Odo Ado area of the Ekiti State capital, was engaged by a client to help secure suitable accommodation within the city. The client, believing he was dealing with a trustworthy agent, transferred the sum of ₦225,000 to Olaitan as agreed payment for securing a rental property.
However, days turned into weeks and there was no sign of a property or a valid tenancy arrangement. Growing suspicious, the client reported the matter to the local chapter of the Estate, Rent & Commission Agents Association of Nigeria (ERCAAN), an association responsible for regulating the conduct of property agents and ensuring best practices in the industry.
Following a swift investigation by ERCAAN’s task force, Olaitan was summoned and subjected to questioning. It was during the interrogation that he reportedly admitted to misappropriating the entire sum. To the shock of those present, the house agent confessed that he had used the money to gamble on Bet9ja’s virtual games rather than securing accommodation for his client as promised.
As part of its internal disciplinary procedure, ERCAAN subjected Olaitan to public disciplinary actions aimed at deterring other agents from engaging in similar fraudulent practices. The association condemned his actions in strong terms and reaffirmed its commitment to upholding professional ethics and protecting the interest of tenants and landlords alike.
ERCAAN leadership also issued a public warning to other property agents within and beyond Ekiti State, cautioning them to conduct their dealings with integrity or risk facing the full weight of both the association’s disciplinary measures and legal consequences.
“This is a very serious breach of trust, and we are determined to ensure that agents who tarnish the image of the profession are dealt with decisively,” said one of the senior ERCAAN task force members. “Any agent who thinks they can defraud unsuspecting Nigerians and go unpunished should think again. This case will serve as a warning to others.”
Following the association’s internal handling, the case has since been handed over to the Nigerian Police Force for further investigation. Police authorities are now preparing to prosecute Olaitan for fraud, conversion of funds, and other criminal offenses as defined under Nigerian law.
Meanwhile, the victim of the fraudulent transaction has expressed relief that the matter is receiving serious attention from both ERCAAN and law enforcement agencies. The individual has called for justice to be served and for mechanisms to be put in place to better regulate the activities of independent agents who operate without transparency.
The case has sparked broader conversations about the need for stricter oversight of real estate agents and property consultants in Nigeria, particularly as the housing crisis drives more people to rely on informal channels to find affordable rentals.
