By Akinnodi Francis, Ondo

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A 58-year old man, Adeleke Dare Michael, has been arraigned before a Chief Magistrate’s Court in Ondo town for allegedly obtaining N111,900,000 from Temidayo Olabisi and Akinsiku Temitope under false pretenses to supply cocoa beans, which he failed to deliver.

The police accused Adeleke of fraudulently and unlawfully obtaining the money from the complainants.

He is facing a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, unlawful conversion, and obtaining money under false pretenses.

According to the prosecution, the defendant committed the offence alongside others, who are still at large, sometime in 2024. The charges contravene Sections 39(1) and 40(1) and are punishable under Sections 41(1)(a) and 41(a) of the Produce Allied Act of Ondo State, 2006.

“That you, Adeleke Dare Michael, and others at large, between October and December 2024, at No. 23 Iluyemi Street, Yaba, Ondo city, in the Ondo Magisterial District, did unlawfully obtain the sum of N106,700,000 from Temidayo Olabisi under the pretense of supplying and purchasing cocoa beans, which you failed to deliver. You then converted the said sum for your personal use, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 39(1)(a) and punishable under Section 41(1)(a) of the Produce Allied Act of Ondo State, 2006.”

“That you, Adeleke Dare Michael, and others at large, on the same date and place, did unlawfully accept the sum of N106,700,000 with the false promise of supplying dried cocoa beans to Temidayo Olabisi, which you failed to purchase as requested. You then converted the said sum to your personal use, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 40(1)(a)(b) and punishable under Section 41(a) of the Produce Allied Act of Ondo State, 2006.”

“That you, Adeleke Dare Michael, and others at large, on November 18, 2024, at Falana Street, Ondo City, in the Ondo Magisterial District, did unlawfully obtain the sum of N2,800,000 from Akinsiku Temitope under the pretense of supplying and purchasing cocoa beans, which you failed to deliver. You then converted the said sum for your personal use, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 39(1)(a) and punishable under Section 41(1)(a) of the Produce Allied Act of Ondo State, 2006.”

“That you, Adeleke Dare Michael, and others at large, on the same date and place, did unlawfully accept the sum of N2,400,000 with the false promise of supplying dried cocoa beans to Akinsiku Temitope, which you failed to purchase as requested. You then converted the said sum to your personal use, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 40(1)(a)(b) and punishable under Section 41(a) of the Produce Allied Act of Ondo State, 2006.”

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The police prosecutor, Supol Bernard Olagbayi, informed the court that he would call three witnesses to testify in the case and requested an adjournment to allow him to study the case file.

The defence counsel, S.A. Iluyemi, urged the court to grant his client bail, assuring that the defendant would not abscond and would provide credible sureties.

However, the presiding Magistrate, Mrs. Omofolarin O.A., denied the bail application and ordered that the defendant be remanded in Segede Correctional Centre until the bail application is determined.

The case was adjourned to February 11, 2025, for ruling on the bail application.