By Bamidele Kolawole

A 300 level student of Mass Communication from Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba Akoko, Ayodeji Fadare, has been arraigned before an Akure Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly defrauding five different people of N486,000
26-year-old Fadare, who claimed to be a Cyber cafe operator allegedly committed the offences on March 3, 2021 around 10:am opposite INEC Office, Alagbaka in Akure Magisterial District.

The Prosecutor, Inspector Akintimehin Nelson informed the court that the accused person fraudulently obtained and converted the sum of N486,000 from the victims under the pretence of helping them to pay their children school fees.

He was said to have collected N 75,500 from one Omoteji Israel through his Bank Account Number 0175044918 domiciled with Guaranty Trust Bank Pic as a Cyber Café operator under the pretence of helping him to pay his school fees knowing same to be false.

The prosecutor said the accused person also converted the sum of N150,000 paid by one Eunice Bamidele through his Bank Account Number 0175044918 domiciled with Guaranty Trust Bank Pic with a pretence to pay her daughter’s school fees.

Akintimehin added that the accused person collected another N155, 000 from one Gbenga Adebayo and N55,000 from Esther Oluwatoki under the pretence to help them pay their children school fees.

The prosecution further said Fadare fraudulently obtained and converted the sum of N51,000 from one Oyinbodunmi Ibikunle under the pretence of helping him pay his son’s school fees..

The offences contravene Sections 418, 419, 383, 390 (9), 465, 467 and 338 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.
He pleaded not guilty to the twelve-count charge of fraud preferred against him.
The Defence Counsel, Mr Bernard Godwin, pleaded that the court should grant bail to the accused person in most liberal term.
He promised that his client would not jump bail but provide reliable sureties.
Chief Magistrate Musa Al-Yunnus granted bail to the accused person in the sum of N500,000, with two sureties in like sum.

Al-Yunnus added that the sureties must swear to an affidavit of means, and reside within the court’s jurisdiction.

He said they must also produce three years tax clearance certificate as well as provide two recent passport photographs.
The case was adjourned till January 28, 2022, for hearing.