22nd January, 2025
By Dorcas Elusogbon
On Wednesday, a 63-year-old man, Olajide Dauda, appeared before an Ile-Ife Magistrates’ Court for allegedly obtaining N1.4 million under the guise of selling land.
Dauda is standing trial on a two-count charge of fraud and conversion.
The prosecutor, Insp Jimoh Irewole, told the court that the defendant committed the offences sometime in January 2024, at 12.30 p.m. at the Ilupeju area of Ipetumodu in Ife North Local Government Area, Osun.
Irewole said that the defendant fraudulently obtained N1.4 million from one Adebisi Adeyemi, under the pretext of selling six plots of land located at Ode-Omu Road, Ipetumodu, to him.
He added that the defendant failed to sell the land but converted the said money to his use.
According to him, the offences contravene Sections 390(9) and 419 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Osun, 2002.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The defence counsel, Mr Leke Dada, urged the court to grant bail to the defendant on liberal terms.
He promised that his client would not jump bail, but would provide reliable sureties.
Magistrate O.B Adeduwura granted the defendant bail in the sum of N1 million with two sureties in like sum.
She ordered that the sureties should reside within the court’s jurisdiction and swear to an affidavit of means.
The magistrate also held that the sureties should show evidence of tax payment with three recent passport photographs and their addresses verified.
The case was adjourned until Feb. 3 for mention.
(NAN)