A 41-year-old man, Gbadura Temitope, has been arraigned before an Ado-Ekiti Magistrates’ Court over allegations bordering on fraud involving ₦1.1 million.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the defendant is facing a two-count charge of obtaining money under false pretence and conversion of funds.
The prosecution, led by Inspector Olubu Apata, told the court that the alleged offence occurred on February 5, 2021, in Ado-Ekiti. He said the defendant collected ₦1.1 million from one Ojo Momoh, claiming he had three plots of land for sale, a representation the prosecution described as false.
It was further alleged that after receiving the money, the defendant diverted it for personal use instead of delivering the promised property transaction.
The prosecutor informed the court that the actions of the defendant violated Sections 328 and 295 of the Criminal Laws of Ekiti State, 2021, and requested an adjournment to enable the prosecution review the case file and bring forward witnesses.
Gbadura Temitope, however, denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against him.
His defence counsel, Oluwafemi Alabi, applied for bail, assuring the court that the defendant would not abscond if granted bail.
In her ruling, Magistrate Olubunmi Bamidele granted the defendant bail in the sum of ₦200,000 with two sureties in like sum.
The case was adjourned until June 17 for further hearing.