BY TIMOTHY AGBOR, OSOGBO
A 30-year-old-man, Olalekan Lukman, has been dragged before a Chief Magistrate’s Court sitting in Osogbo, Osun State for allegedly defrauding his customers.
The police accused Lukman of duping the unsuspecting members of the public to the tune of N1.4 million.
The accused person allegedly perpetrated the crime under the guise of collecting thrift for keeps for his customers.
Police prosecutor, Inspector Elisha Olusegun, informed the court that the defendant committed the act between December 2021 and October 1, 2022 in Osogbo.
He stated that the defendant stole the sum of N1, 420,000 million
The charge read partly, “You Olalekan Lukman, between the month of December 2021 and first day of October, 2022, in Osogbo, Osun State, did by false pretence and with intent to defraud, obtain the sum of N1, 000,000 (One million naira) from one Abdul Wasiu Jaye under the pretense of organising contribution (thrift collection) for him, a pretense you know to be false.
“You did, by false pretense and intent to defraud, obtain the sum of N140,000 (One hundred and forty thousand naira) from one Salam Mujidat under the pretence of organising contribution (thrift collection) for her, a pretence you know to be false.
“You did by false pretense and intent to defraud, obtain the sum of N140, 000 (One hundred and forty thousand naira), from one Adenike Adegboye under the pretense of organising contribution (thrift collection) for her, a pretense you know to be false.
“You, Olalekan Lukman, at the same time and date, did by false pretence and intent to defraud, obtain the sum of N140,000 (One hundred and forty thousand naira) from one Olayinka Kemi under the pretense of organising contribution (thrift collection) for her, a pretense you know to be false.”
The defendant was said to have committed offences contrary to and punishable under sections 383, 419, and 390(9) of the Criminal Code Cap, 34 Volume II Laws of Osun State of Nigeria, 2002.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges while his counsel, Lekan Olayiwola, noted that there were discrepancies in the charges brought against his client. He applied for bail for him in liberal terms.
Chief Magistrate Olusola Aluko granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500,000 with one surety in the same amount. He said that the surety should be a civil servant on grade level 10.
The matter was adjourned till November 15 for substitution of charge.
