A 40-year-old man, Femi Adewale, was on Thursday arraigned before Chief Magistrate B. B. Adebowale of an Ota Magistrates’ Court in Ogun for allegedly collecting N1.1 million under false pretences from a worshipper.
The accused who claimed to be a pastor collected N1.1 million from one Ibukun Aderonmu, with a promise to assist her solve her spiritual problems.
Adewale who resides at No. 22, Farinde St., Ijako, Ota, is facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and obtaining money under false pretences.
Police prosecutor, Cpl. Abdulkareem Mustapha told the court that the defendant and others, still at large, committed the offences on Sept. 14 at Ijako area of Ota.
He alleged that the defendant and his accomplices collected the money with a promise to help Aderonmu to solve her spiritual problems, but did not fulfill the agreementl.
The prosecutor said the offences contravened Sections 390(9) and 419 of the Criminal Code Vol. 1, Laws of Ogun, 2006.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs. B. B. Adebowale, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.
She said the sureties must be residing within the court’s jurisdiction and swear to an affidavit of means.
The magistrate also ordered that the sureties should show evidence of tax payment to the Ogun State Government and submit four recent passport photographs to the court.
She later adjourn the case to Jan. 22, 2018 for hearing.
