By Ayodele Popoola

A 42-year-old man, Sunday Ojebunmi has been dragged before an Akure  Magistrates’ Court over obtaining the sum of N10,000,000 from a merchant under false pretence of supplying him cocoa beans.

The police charged Ojewumi, whose address was not given, with fraud, theft and obtaining under false pretences.

The police prosecutor, Nelson Akintimehin, told the court that the defendant committed the offence sometimes between October and November  2020  at Ore, Ondo State.

Akintimehin  alleged that the defendant obtained N5,000,000 twice at a month intervals from the complainant,  one Sayo Alagbe, a cocoa merchant  under the false pretext that he would supply him some dried cocoa beans.

The prosecution alleged that the defendant later ran away and converted the money to his personal use without the consent of the owner.

Adetimehin added that  the defendant, after two years of his hiding without supplying the cocoa beans nor refunding the money, was arrested at Benin, in Edo State.

The offence, he said, contravened the provisions of sections 383, 390(9) and 419 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ondo, 2006 and also Produce Aduration Prohibition Sections 41 (1) and b 42(1)b, Cap 118 Laws of Ondo State, 2006

He, hereby urged the court to remand the defendant at Olokuta Correctional Centre through a remand application, pending the insurance of legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP)

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

 The defence counsel, Lawrence Fagbolagun prayed for an adjournment to enable him to  fill a counter affidavit to the remand application.

The Chief Magistrate, Musa Al-Yunnus ordered the defendant to remain at the police custody pending the consideration of the bail.

He  adjourned the case till October 24 for hearing.