By Richard Benjamin
Three men were on Monday, July 27, arraigned before an Ota Magistrates’ Court in Ogun for allegedly defrauding a man of N4.3 million in a failed deal to purchase a monogram machine.
The defendants are Emmanuel Ekoyo, 39; Ayanga Elizabeth, 33; and Onuocha Chikezie, 26.
They are facing a four-count charge of stealing, conspiracy, fraud and obtaining money under false pretence, to which they each pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, ASP E.O. Adaraloye, told the court that the defendants allegedly committed the offences between June 23 and July 7 at Canaan Land Church in Ota.
Adaraloye alleged that the defendants conspired to obtain N4.3 million from the complainant, Mr Kolade Adedamola, under the pretence of selling him a monogram machine.
He alleged that the defendants collected the money but converted it to their personal use instead of providing the machine.
The prosecutor said the offences contravened Sections 390(9), 421, 423 and 516 of the Criminal Law of Ogun State, 2006.
The Magistrate, Mrs O.O. Fadairo, granted each defendant bail in the sum of N500,000 with one surety in like sum.
She ordered that the sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and be gainfully employed, with evidence of tax payment to the state government.
The court adjourned the case until Aug. 10 for hearing.
