Police arraign Ondo couple over alleged fraud

They were arraigned on two-count charge of fraud and obtaining money under false pretence.

The couple were alleged to have committed the offence between January and August 2023, at Kajola, Araromi-Obu at the jurisdiction of the magistrate court.

According to the prosecution,  the couple fraudulently obtained the sum of N6.47million from one Kazeem Mojirade Sarufat and Kazeem Morufat, on the pretence of supplying them kegs of palm oil which they failed to do, but allegedly converted the money to their private use.

The police prosecutor, Inspector Muyideen Yekini, told the court that the defendants conspired to commit a felony to obtain money under false pretence.

He said the offence contravened Sections 516, 419 of the Criminal Code Cap. 37 Volume 1 Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.

However, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them.

The prosecutor sought an adjournment of the case to enable him study the case file and prepare his witnesses for trial. He also prayed the court to transfer the case file to Araromi-Obu Magistrate Court.

The defence counsel, Mr. O. J Ikudaisi, did not oppose the application made by the prosecutor, praying the court to grant his clients bail in most liberal terms but the prosecutor opposed the bail application earlier made by the defense counsel, saying the defendant might abuse the privilege, if granted.

In his ruling, Chief Magistrate, B. A Ikusika, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N1 million each with two sureties in like sum.