28th April, 2022
By Joy Akinsanya
An Abeokuta Magistrates Court on Thursday sentenced a 60-year-old man, Gabriel Atie, to 10 years imprisonment for fraudulently defrauding three businessmen of more than N18 million.
Magistrate M. A. Akinyemi convicted Atie on a three-count charge of conspiracy, fraud and stealing.
He said that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubts and that the convict was guilty as charged.
The convict was, however, given an option of N250,000 fine if he could return the N18 million to the three businessmen.
Earlier, the prosecutor, Insp. Lawrence Balogun told the court that Atie committed the offence on Aug. 29, 2016, at Ijoko Road, Ota in Ogun.
Lawrence said the convict collected 15,000 litres of diesel, worth N2.6 million, from one Mr Femi Akala on the pretext that he (Atie) would remit the money later, but he never did.
He said the convict also collected diesel, petrol and kerosene, valued at N7.5 million, from another businessman, Gabriel Akala.
He also collected petrol, valued at N8 million, from another businessman, Ajibade Esan, without paying for the fuel.
The prosecutor argued in court that the offences committed contravened Sections 516, 419, 390(9) of the Criminal Laws of Ogun, 2006.