An Osogbo Magistrate’s Court in Osun State has ordered the remand of a woman, Agnes Adedara in Ilesa Correctional Centre over alleged disappearance of her sister.
Adedara was said to have stood surety for her relation, Adenike Okunrinmeta over allegations of fraud and theft of N26 million but failed to produce her to the police.
Okunrinmeta, said to be a London trained lawyer, allegedly refused to show up at the Criminal Investigation Department of the Osun State Police Command in Osogbo after she was granted administrative bail.
Adedara had entered into a N20 million bail bond for the suspect, however, when she could not make Okunrinmeta available to the police, she was tracked to Akure, her place of residence, arrested and arraigned in court for perverting the course of justice.
The charge read: “That you Adedara Adejoke Agnes and others now at large, on the 13th day of November 2024, at the State C.I.D., Osogbo, Osun State in the Osogbo Magisterial District, did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit: Perverting the Course of Justice, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 516 of the Criminal Code Cap 34 Vol. II Laws of Osun State of Nigeria, 2002.
“That you Adedara Adejoke Agnes and others now at large, on the same date, time, place, in the aforementioned magisterial district, did conspire with one Adenike Okunrinmeta ‘f’ with intent to prevent, pervert or defeat the course of justice in a case of Conspiracy, Obtaining Money by False Pretence, Criminal Conversion and Stealing, in that you took Adenike Okunrinmeta ‘f’ on bail in a bond dated 13th November 2024, with a promise to produce her any time she is needed until the case against her is finally disposed of, but you failed to produce her as promised having been warned to do so, and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 126(1) of the Criminal Code Law Cap 34 Vol. II, Laws of Osun State of Nigeria, 2002.”
However, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the two count-charges slammed against her.
Her counsel, Theophilus Idowu, urged the court to admit Adedara to bail, saying the constitution presumes her innocent until proven in court.
Objecting to the bail application, police prosecutor, Elisha Olusegun, disclosed that the defendant does not live within the court’s jurisdiction, adding that she was tracked and traced to Akure where she was arrested.
“My Lord, I want the court to take judicial notice of the fact that the case involves the sum of N26million. The moment the defendant is gone, it would be difficult to get the suspect considering the amount involved.”
Chief Magistrate Olusegun Ayilara adjourned the matter till March 5, 2025 for ruling on bail and ordered that Adedara be remanded in prison till then.
