The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibadan Zonal Office, today, 18 October, 2018 arraigned one Adediji Abiodun before Hon. Justice M. L. Owolabi of the State High Court sitting in Iyaganku, Ibadan, Oyo State on one-count charge of obtaining money under false pretence.
Abiodun was alleged to have collected the sum of One Million, Fifty Thousand Naira only (N1,050,000.00) for three plots of land located at Gbenku area of Arubiewe, Ibadan which he claims to be the owner.
According to the petitioner, in order to confirm if the land was free from government acquisition, he contracted a Surveyor who discovered that the said land was under government acquisition and all efforts made to get his money back failed. EFCC’s investigation revealed that the defendant is not the owner of the plots of land.
One of the count charge reads: “Adediji Abiodun on or about 6th June, 2017 at Ibadan within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud obtained the sum of One Million and Fifty Thousand Naira (N1,050,000.00) from one Mrs. Yemi Florence Oriade under the false pretence that the money represented payment for 3 plots of land at Gbenku Area, Arubiewe, Ibadan, which pretence you knew to be false, thereby committed an offence”.
The defendant however, pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against him.
In view of their plea, prosecution counsel Adeola Elumaro prayed the court for a trial date. Counsel to the defendant, A. O. Bada informed the court that the defendant had paid back part of the money involved and thereafter orally prayed the court to admit the defendant to bail on very liberal terms. The EFCC counsel however, told the court that in the circumstance, he will leave the issue of bail to the discretion of the court.
Hon. Justice Owolabi while refusing the oral application for bail stating that bail is always at the discretion of the court and such discretion must be exercised judiciously and that there is no information before him to show that if the defendant is admitted on bail he will attend trial. He thereafter ordered the defense to present a formal application for bail.
The case is adjourned to 26 October, 2018 for trial and the defendant is to be remanded at the Federal Prison, Agodi pending when a formal bail application is filed.
