An electrician, Rotimi Akinbote, 45, was on Friday arraigned at an Okitipupa Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ondo State, charged with N600,000 fraud.
The defendant, whose address was not given, is facing a four-count charge bordering on breach of peace, advance fee fraud and stealing.
The Police prosecutor, ASP Zedekiah Orogbemi, told the court that the defendant allegedly committed the offences on Dec. 21, 2021.
Orogbemi informed the court that around 6:00 p.m., on Aye-Ore road in Okitipupa, Okitipupa Magisterial District; the defendant conducted himself in a manner likely to cause breach of peace.
The prosecutor said the defendant allegedly claimed ownership of a plot of land belonging to Adeboye family and converted it to personal use.
Orogbemi said that the defendant also obtained the sum of N600,000 from one Christian Idulu on the pretext of selling the plot of land to him and converted the money to his personal use without any recourse.
The Prosecutor added that the offences contravened Sections 249 (d), 383, 419 and 390 (9), Criminal Code, Cap.37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State, 2006.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges leveled t against him.
The Chief Magistrate, Mr Chris Ojuola granted the defendant bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sums.
Ojuola said that the sureties, who must be resident within the court jurisdiction, must also show and present evidence of two year tax payment made to the state government.
The Magistrate adjourned the case until April 11, for further hearing.
