By Michael Ofulue, Osogbo

A 24-year-old man, Bello Ayomide, has been arraigned before an Osogbo Magistrate’s Court for alleged theft, fraud, and attempted suicide.

Ayomide was brought before the court by the police for allegedly stealing his co-worker’s phone and withdrawing money from the victim’s bank account using the stolen device.

The defendant, a father of one, had reportedly separated from his wife before engaging in the alleged criminal activities.

Sources within the police investigation team informed our correspondent that Ayomide was employed by a herbal medicine company in Osogbo, where he allegedly stole his colleague’s Itel phone.

Having worked with the complainant, identified as Hillary Austine, for several months, Ayomide was said to have memorized Austine’s Opay account details and password.

It was gathered that Ayomide stole Austine’s phone and fraudulently withdrew ₦390,000 from his bank account.

Security sources said the accused person stopped reporting to work, and efforts by Austine to recover his phone and money proved futile as the defendant reportedly fled Osogbo to evade arrest.

Reports indicated that the police tracked Ayomide and eventually located him at a hotel in Osogbo with a woman suspected to be a commercial sex worker.

“The moment he realized the police were closing in on him, the suspect (Ayomide) quickly drank a bottle of Hypo whitener and disinfectant in an attempt to take his own life and evade arrest,” a police source told The Point.

Nonetheless, Ayomide was apprehended in his hotel room and rushed to a hospital, where he received urgent medical attention.

After surviving the attempted suicide, police arraigned Ayomide before an Osogbo Magistrate’s Court on a five-count charge, including theft, fraud, and attempted suicide.

The police prosecutor, Jacob Adekunle, informed the court that Ayomide committed the offences on January 26, 2025, at about 11:00 a.m. in the Ota-Efun area of Osogbo.

The charge sheet read:

“That you, Bello Ayomide, on January 26, 2025, did steal one Itel S24 handset valued at Two Hundred and Ten Thousand Naira (₦210,000), the property of one Hillary Austine, and transferred the sum of Three Hundred and Ninety Thousand Naira (₦390,000) from an Opay Microfinance Bank account (Account No: 9119305080) belonging to the said Hillary Austine.

“That you, Bello Ayomide, on the same date, time, and place, in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did fraudulently obtain the sum of Fifty Thousand Naira (₦50,000) from Hillary Austine under the pretense of returning the money within two weeks, knowing fully well that this claim was false.”

“That you, Bello Ayomide, did fraudulently obtain the sum of Fifteen Thousand Naira (₦15,000) from one Kasali Rofiat, a female, under the pretense of selling a stolen phone, knowing fully well that this claim was false.”

“That you, Bello Ayomide, on February 2, 2025, at about 10:00 p.m. at Mingles Hotel, Jaye area, Osogbo, in the Osogbo Magisterial District, did attempt to commit suicide by ingesting Hypo chemical in an effort to take your own life.”

Prosecutor Adekunle stated that Ayomide’s actions violated Sections 327, 383(1), 419, and 430 of the Criminal Code, Cap 34, Volume 11, Laws of Osun State of Nigeria, 2002, and are punishable under Section 390(9) of the same code.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges.

His counsel, Najite Okobe, pleaded with the court to grant him bail.

However, Magistrate A. O. Odeleye expressed displeasure over Ayomide’s attempted suicide, stating that since none of his relatives were present in court, she would not grant him bail.

Odeleye ordered that Ayomide be remanded in a correctional facility and directed him to produce his relatives on March 20, the next adjourned date