BY TIMOTHY AGBOR, OSOGBO
Operatives of the Osun State Police Command have apprehended one Adegoke Olumide, aged 28, masquerading as a prophet to deceive members of the public by giving false prophecies and divine pronouncements in Osogbo.
It was gathered that Olumide’s style was to take advantage of embattled residents of the town, mostly females, by parading himself as a pastor.
He would assure the miracle seekers that he could free them from untimely death and bad luck, provided they could bring the sum of N265, 000.
He was said to have been arrested by the police after about three of his victims lodged complaints against him at the station.
Olumide was arraigned at an Osogbo Magistrate’s Court for offences bordering on impersonation, fraud and theft.
The charge brought against him read that “You, Adegoke Olumide, sometimes in the month of April, 2022 at about 2pm at Dele Yesir area, Osogbo, did impersonate by calling yourself a pastor with intent to defraud
“You, on the same day, time and place, did fraudulently obtain the sum of N100, 000 from one Macaulay Blessing with intent to offer prayer that she would not die, knowing fully it was false.
“You, Adegoke Olumide, on April 14, 2022, in Osogbo, did fraudulently obtain the sum of N100,000 from one Odebode Esther with the pretense that you were going to pray for her in order not to die knowing fully it was false.
“You did steal the sum of N100, 000 property of one Odebode Esther. You did fraudulently obtain the sum of N65, 000 from one Ajala Blessing with the pretense that you would pray for her to remove bad luck from her head knowing fully it was false.
“You, Adegoke Olumide, did steal the sum of N65, 000 property of one Ajala Blessing.”
The police prosecutor, Inspector Fagboyinbo Abiodun, informed the court that the defendant committed offences contrary to and punishable under sections 484, 419 and 390(9) of the Criminal Code, Cap.34, Volume 11 Laws of Osun State Nigeria, 2002.
However, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges through his counsel, Najite Okobe.
The lawyer urged the court to grant Olumide bail in liberal terms.
Fagboyinbo objected to the bail application on the ground that the defendant may continue to defraud other unsuspecting members of the public.
Magistrate A. O. Daramola granted the defendant bail in the sum of N250, 000 with two sureties in the same amount. One of the sureties, Daramola said, must be a civil servant not below Grade Level 10.
The matter was adjourned till June 20 for hearing.
