By Bamidele Kolawole

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A 38-year-old herbalist, Seun Babalola, on Thursday, appeared before an Akure Magistrates’ Court in Oke-Eda, for allegedly hypnotizing one Julius Afolalu, and sold all his property for charm.

Babalola, who lives at No. 40 Odo Sai, Oke-Aro, Akure, is facing one count of conducting himself in a manner likely to cause a breach of peace, by parading himself as a herbalist and allegedly hypnotized Afolalu, to give up his property.

The Prosecutor, Mr. Taiwo Oniyere, told the court that the accused committed the offence in April, 2024 at No. 40, Odo Sai, Oke-Aro, Akure.

He said that when the complainant asked the accused to return his money after he failed to deliver the charm, he threatened him.

The charge sheet reads: “That you, Seun Babalola ‘m,’ sometime in April 2024, at No. 40, Odo Sai, Oke-Aro, Akure, did conduct yourself in a manner likely to cause a breach of peace by parading yourself as a herbalist and allegedly hypnotized one Julius Afolalu ‘m’, with a potent charm, commanding him to sell all his properties and offer them to the gods as a sacrifice.

“You collected all the properties and the proceeds and converted them to your own use, properties valued at N500,000,  and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 249(D) of the Criminal Code, Cap 37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.”

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

Counsel to the defendant, Israel Tiwo, pleaded with the court to grant his client bail. He assured the court that credible and reliable sureties would be available to stand for him, promising that the defendant would appear in court during the trial.

Magistrate Temilola Olusola-Olujobi granted the accused bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum.

She ordered that the sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction, be gainfully employed, and provide evidence of tax payment to the Ondo State Government.

She adjourned the case till July 2, 2024, for hearing.