A couple, Mr Olubayo Temitope and Mr Suliya Temitope have landed before a Magistrate Court in Ore, Odigbo Local Government Area (LGA) of Ondo State, on charges of fraud of N6.4 million.
Olubayo Temitope and Suriya Temitope were arraigned before Chief Magistrate B A Ikusika on two counts of fraud and obtaining money under pretenses.
The Prosecutor, Inspector Muyideen Yekini testified that the defendant committed the crime between January and August 2023 in Kajola, Araromi Obu, Ondo State.
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Yekini told the court that the defendants conspired to commit the crime to obtain money under pretenses.
Yekini revealed that the 45-year-old trader and his 25-year-old wife fraudulently obtained a total of N6.4 million from one Kazeem Mojilade Sarfat and Kazeem Morfat under the pretext of supplying barrels of palm oil.
However, the couple failed to deliver the palm oil and used the money for personal use.
He said:
“The offences contravene Sections 516, 419 of the Criminal Code Cap. 37 Volume 1 Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.”
However, when the charges were read to the accused, they pleaded not guilty to the crimes against them.
Prosecutors requested an adjournment to review the file and prepare witnesses for trial.
The Inspector asked the court to transfer the file to the Araromi-Obu Magistrate Court.
The Defence Counsel, Mr O J Ikudaisi, did not oppose the application, however, he prayed the court to grant his clients bail in the most liberal terms.
However, prosecutors rejected Ikudaisi’s plea for bail, arguing that if granted, the defendant would be abusing the privilege.
