Man lands in court for allegedly defrauding LG workers of 45.2 million naira

Abimbola Abatta, Osogbo

An Osogbo Magistrate’s court has, on Monday, arraigned a 40-year-old man, Adepoju Taofeeq Olalekan, for allegedly defrauding 186 local government workers of N 45,293,916.

The defendant was said to have conspired with First bank officials, standing as a middle man to acquire a loan for 186 persons, knowing it was a false pretence and with intent to defraud.

Police prosecutor, ASP Fagboyinbo Abiodun told the court that the accused person committed this offence between the year 2012 and the month of July 2015 in Osogbo magisterial district.

The 186 persons Adepoju defrauded, with the pretence of repaying the loan secured for them from First Bank, are staff members of Irepodun Local Government Area of Osun state.

Adepoju Taofeeq, who is facing four count charges, pleaded not guilty to the allegations levelled against him.

Fagboyinbo alleged that the offence committed is punishable and contravened sections S. 422, S. 419, and S. 516 of the criminal code Cap 34 Vol. 2, laws of Osun state of Nigeria, 2002.

Defence counsel, SP Ogundari, prayed the court to grant his client bail based on liberal terms.

The watching brief, Chief Abdulfatau, disclosed to the court how he has been investigating the situation for his complainants to get justice.

The Magistrate, Modupe A. Awodele, granted the accused bail of 10 million naira with two sureties that are civil servants not below level 15.

She, thereafter, adjourned the case till February 9, 2021.