By Akinnodi Francis, Ondo
A 52-year-old man, Akinjagunla Akinjisola, has been arraigned before the Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ondo Town on charges of conspiracy, obtaining money under false pretences, and fraudulent conversion of land.
The police alleged that Akinjagunla committed the offence alongside others still at large, between 2016 and April 15, 2024. The alleged actions contravene Sections 516, 419, and 383 of the Criminal Code and are punishable under Sections 516, 419, and 390 of the Criminal Code, Cap 37, Volume 1, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.
The charge sheet partly reads:
“That you, Akinjagunla Akinjisola, and one other at large, sometime in 2016, at No. 17, Temidara Street, Ondo, in the Ondo Magisterial District, conspired to commit a felony, namely obtaining money under false pretence and fraudulent conversion, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code, Cap 37, Volume 1, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.
“That you, Akinjagunla Akinjisola, and one other at large, on the same date, time, and place, fraudulently obtained the sum of one million, one hundred thousand Naira (N1,100,000) from one Sidikatu Awosokanre under the pretext of securing one acre of land for her at Onigbo Street via Pele, Ondo, but resold the land to another person without her consent, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 419 of the Criminal Code, Cap 37, Volume 1, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.
“That you, Akinjagunla Akinjisola, and one other at large, on April 15, 2024, fraudulently converted six plots of land valued at one million, one hundred thousand Naira (N1,100,000), belonging to one Sidikatu Awosokanre, for your own use, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 383 and punishable under Section 390 of the Criminal Code, Cap 37, Volume 1, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.”
The defendant pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The police prosecutor, Supol Bernard Olagbayi, informed the court of plans to call three witnesses and requested an adjournment to review the case file.
The defence counsel, Sir Yinka Adeyosoye, requested bail for his client, assuring the court that the defendant would not abscond and would present credible sureties.
The presiding Magistrate, Mrs. Omofolarin O.A., granted the defendant bail in the sum of N1,000,000, with two sureties in like sum. The sureties must be blood relatives, property owners within the court’s jurisdiction, and must present evidence of current tax payments.
The case was adjourned to February 20, 2025, for a report of settlement or hearing.