By Damilola Akinmolayan

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A palm oil merchant, Temitope Benjamin has been arraigned before an Akure Magistrates’ Court over an alleged N6.2 million fraud.

The 36-year-old accused person committed the offence in Oka Akoko between December 20, 2019 and April 7, 2022.

He was charged for obtaining goods by false pretences and stealing.

The police prosecutor, Adeoye Adesegun told the court that the accused person fraudulently converted 6,676.8 litres of palm oil valued  at N4,006,080 under the pretence of selling it and paying back.

He said the kegs of palm oil belong to Funmilayo Orunduyi, Daodu Mayowa and Mercy Afogun.

The prosecutor added that the accused person, at various times in Oka Akoko, obtained 222 empty kegs of Palm oil valued at N444,000 from Orunduyi, Mayowa and Afogun and converted it to  his personal use.

Adesegun added that the defendant also obtained 2,970 litres of palm oil valued at N1,782,000 under the pretence of selling it and paying back the proceeds to one Orunduyi, which he reneged.

The offences contravene Section 419 of the Criminal Code, Cap 37.Vol 1Laws of Ondo State Nigeria, 2006.

But the defendant pleaded not guilty to the offences as charged.

His Counsel, Oluwafemi Balogun, prayed the court to grant his client bail in most liberal terms.

In his ruling, Magistrate Mayomi Olanipekun granted the accused person bail in the sum of N1,000,000 with two sureties in like sum.

He said the sureties must provide two valid documents and two passport photographs.

The case was thereafter adjourned till May 27, 2022 for hearing.