By Ayodele Popoola

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A 42-year-old farmer, Adewale Olajire, has been arraigned before an Akure Magistrate’s Court for allegedly defrauding three people of N700,000i under the presences of selling plots of land to them, which he reneged.

The defendant, who lives at No 6b, Ayetoto Street, Oke-Aro, Akure was brought on six counts bothering on fraud and forgery.

The prosecutor, Inspector Oniyere Taiwo, said the defendant committed the offense on July 26, 2021.

According to the prosecutor, the defendant fraudulently obtained N250, 000 each from Balogun Akeem, Adebola Alonge of N200,000 from one Oladipo Opeyemi,  under the pretense of selling three plots of land to them at Eleyowo ares, Akure, which he failed to do.

He said the defendant also forged and issued fake land receipts that does not belong to him to the trio.

He was said to have committed the offences with an intent to defraud the victims, which contravene the Provisions of Sections 419 and 467 of the Criminal Code Cap 37, Vol. 1 Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.

The accused, however pleaded not guilty to charges, while his lawyer, A.Y. Aliu, informed the court that he had approached the victims for settlement.

He prayed the court to admit the defendant to bail in most liberal terms, as an offense in which the defendant is charged is bailable.

In his ruling, the Magistrate O.L. Abu, granted the accused person bail in the sum of N1 million with two sureties in like sum.

Abu said the surety must be a resident within the court jurisdiction, while he must show his evidence of tax payments.

The case was adjourned till January 28, 2022.