An estate agent, Benjamin Adebisi, 37, on Friday, appeared before an Okitipupa Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ondo.State, over alleged N250,000 fraud.
The defendant, whose address was not provided, is facing a two-count of advance fee fraud and unlawful conversion of property to personal use.
The Police Prosecutor, ASP Zedekiah Orogbemi, told the court that the defendant allegedly committed the offence on May 28 at Ayeka in Okitipupa, Okitipupa Magisterial District.
Orogbemi said that the defendant fraudulently received N250,000 from one Gabriel Ariwajoye on the pretext of helping him get a one room self-contained apartment, but failed to do so.
He said that the defendant later converted the money to his personal use without using it for the purpose it was meant for.
The prosecutor said that the defendant committed the offences contrary to and punishable under Sections 419 and 383 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State, 2006.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Oluyemi Olumekun, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N100,000 and with a surety in like sum.
She added that the surety, who must be resident within the court’s jurisdiction, must also show and present evidence of two years tax payment made to the state government.
Olumekun adjourned the case until July 21 for further hearing.