Ayodele Popoola

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The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps(NSCDC) in Ondo State has arraigned two Point-of-Sale (PoS)operators, Busayo Ajibade and Akinwumi Ogunsusi before an Akure Magistrates’ Court for alleged criminal conspiracy and fraud to the tune of N600,000. 

The defendants, whose addresses were not provided, were charged with negligence causing harm and fraud

According to the  prosecution, the defendants committed the offences on April 15, and July 22, this year at different locations in Akure.

The Prosecuting Counsel, E.O Davids told the court that the first defendant did not abide by the guidelines for the operation of banking agencies of OPAY/PAYCOM and MONEYPOINT which facilitated  the theft of N312,000 from the United Bank for Africa (UBA) bank account of one Oriole Bamidele with account number: 2149952767.

 David also informed the court that the second defendant, Ajibade, also through his negligence to abide with the same banking guidelines of OPAY facilitated the theft of N300,000 from United Bank for Africa (UBA) bank account of Festus Adedunni with account number: 1008190834

According to the prosecutor, the defendants contravened Section 344 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ondo State, 2006

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

He, therefore prayed for an adjournment to enable him  study the case files and also gather all the seven prosecution witnesses for the case.

The Defence Counsels, Femi Adetoye and B.O Adodo prayed the court to admit their clients to bail in liberal term

Adetoye said at the first instance, the defendants should not be charged to court considering the fact that his client, who is just a POS operator was a third party to the crime which was between the owner of the ATM and the sender  who knew the pin of the card.

Adetoye said the defendants would be willing to provide all the necessary materials for the prosecution.

The Chief Magistrate, Musa Al-Yunus admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of N300,000 each with a surety each in like sum.

The case was adjourned until August 11, 2022 for definite trial.