A 55-year-old Islamic cleric identified as Inaolaji Rafiu who doubles as the ‘Ajanasi of Edeland’ and Lukman Oloye Lawal 52, have been remanded in Ilesa Correctional Centre for allegedly defrauding a businessman identified as Usman Hammed Alabi of a sum of N10 million.
WITHIN NIGERIA learnt that the two defendants were arraigned before an Osun State Magistrates’ Court sitting in Ede by Zone 11 Police Command Osogbo.
The details of the charges revealed that the defendants; Lawal, Rafiu and others at large were said to have committed the offence sometimes in November, 2019 in Ede town, Osun State.
The two men and others yet to be apprehended allegedly fraudulently obtained and convert to their own use, the sum of Ten million naira(#10,000,000:00k), property of one Usman Hammed Alabi.
The defendants and others also allegedly with intention to defraud Alabi, obtained a sum of N10 million from him and promised to supply him building materials but failed to do so.
The offences were said to be contrary to Section 383 and punishable under Section 390(9) criminal code Laws of Osun State Nigeria 2002.
When their charges were read to them, the defendants pleaded not guilty.
Defence counsel, Mr. Taofeek Olayiwola, applied for bail on behalf of his clients.
In her ruling, the Presiding Magistrate, D. O Ajiboye, remanded the defendants in Ilesha Correctional Centre, asking their counsel to file a formal bail application.
Ajiboye adjourned the matter till 21st October, 2020 for ruling on the bail application.