By Oluwadamilola Akinduro

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An Akure Magistrate’s  Court  has remanded a 46-year-old security officer,  Ebenezer Ilesanmi Adefehinti, for defrauding three parents under the pretense of securing jobs for their children into the Department of State Service (DSS).

The prosecutor, Inspector Augustine Omhenemhen, informed the court that the defendant committed the offences sometimes in the month of June, 2022 at Ayegun Oka Akoko in Ondo State.

 Omhenemhen alleged that the defendant with intent to defraud members of the public, falsely represented himself to be an official of the Department of State Service (DSS).

The defendant, he alleged, obtained the sum of N570,000 from one Prophet Issac Adebayo , under the pretense of securing job for his son, Daniel Adebayo into DSS, knowing same to be false.

The prosecutor said also with intent to defraud, Adefehinti obtained the sum of N650,000 only from  one Mrs. Bola Ajidara, with a promise to assist her son, Abiola Olorundare John, secure job into DSS, knowing same to be false.

Omhenemhen added that the defendant, also obtained from one Bosede Adeyanju, the sum of N1,750,000, under false pretence that he would secure employments for her family and friend, Odo Kehinde and Oladimeji Olarewaju into DSS.

He stated that the defendant fraudulently converted the total sum of N2, 970,000, belonging to Prophet Issac Adebayo , Bola Ajidara and Bosede Adeyanju, to his own use.

The offences, according to the charges contravene Sections 418, 419, 383, 390(9), 484 108(2)of the Criminal Code, Cap 37 Volume 1 Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.

The defendant, who is standing trial on a five -count pleaded ‘not guilty’to the charges leveled against him.

The  prosecutor applied for a date to go through the case file for proper prosecution while the defence counsel, A.O Akinde, prayed the court to grant his client bail in most liberal terms.

In her ruling, Magistrate O.R Yakubu granted the defendant bail in the sum of N2,000,000 with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the matter till March 23, 2023 for hearing.

But the  defendant who could not perfect his bail. was remanded at Olokuta Correctional Centre, Akure.