Court in Ibadan orders fraudster to pay N1.6m to victim

An Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan, on Tuesday, ordered a fraudster, Ismail Adeniyi, 58, to pay N1.6 million as restitution to the complainant.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr E.A. Idowu, in his judgment, found Adeniyi guilty of fraud, as charged.

Idowu ordered the convict to pay the sum of N1.6 million as restitution to the complainant and also serve a two-week community service within the court premises.

“If the convict cannot pay N1.6 million as restitution to the complainant with the community service, he must serve four years imprisonment at Agodi correctional facility, Ibadan, in lieu of restitution.

“This will serve as a deterrent to other fraudsters like him,” the chief magistrate said.

Earlier, the Police Prosecutor, DSP Amos Adewale, told the court that Adeniyi had, on Dec. 18, 2019, at Stanbic IBTC Bank, Challenge, Ibadan, fraudulently converted the sum of N7.2 million paid into his account number: 0015591229.

Adewale said that the defendant’s account was used for onward transfer to another account, belonging to one Awoye Adebayo, without the consent of the complainant.

He said that the convict then converted the sum of N7.2 million, being property of Ibikunle Babatunde, to his own use.

According to him, the offence is contrary to Section 383 and punishable under Section 390(8)(b) and (9) of the Criminal Code, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.