By Michael Ofulue, Osogbo
|
A Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Osogbo, Osun State, has ordered the remand of a 32-year-old man, Muhammed Olarewaju, in Ilesa Correctional Centre, for allegedly duping an investor to the tune of N73million.
Following his arrest by operatives of the state Police Command, Olanrewaju was arraigned before the court and charged with fraud and theft.
He was alleged to have fraudulently obtained the sum of N17 million from one Bola Oladunjoye in Osogbo between 2020 and 2023, under the pretence of purchasing cows for him and herding them, which he failed to do.
The prosecutor, John Idoko, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, informed the court that the accused person, within the same period, also converted 72 cows worth N56 million belonging to Oladunjoye, to his own use.
The charge read in part, “That you, Muhammed Olanrewaju, between August 2020 and May 2023, at Aganga area, Osogbo, Osun State, in the Osogbo Magisterial District, did with intent to defraud, unlawfully obtain the sum of N17,000,000 from one Bola Oladunjoye under the pretence of using same to purchase cows for him and herding them, a pretence you knew to be false, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 419 of the Criminal Code Cap 34 Vol.II Laws of Osun State of Nigeria, 2002.
“On same date, time, place and in the Magisterial District, you (Olanrewaju), did unlawfully convert to your own use, 72 cows valued N56,000,000, belonging to Bola Oladunjoye and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 383 and punishable under Section 390(9) of the Criminal Code Cap 34 Vol.II Laws of Osun State.”
The accused person pleaded not guilty to the allegations.
Defence counsel, Abdulateef Imran, applied for his bail and assured the court that the defendant would be available to stand his trial.
Chief Magistrate Olusegun Ayilara ordered that the defendant be remanded in Ilesa Correctional Centre.
He adjourned till September 29, for ruling on bail application.
