A 57-year-old man, Khalil Babalola, who allegedly reneged on a promise to pay back a loan obtained to travel to Saudi Arabia for the lesser hajj in 2013, was on Monday arraigned before an Osun State Magistrates’ Court sitting in Osogbo.
The defendant, who is facing two counts of stealing and obtaining unlawful credit, was said to have obtained a credit facility of N500,000 from the firm of one Shuaib Olatoye to fund the trip, but failed to pay back as agreed.
The police prosecutor, Kayode Adedeji, explained that the defendant committed the offences in April 2013 at the Ajegunle area of Osogbo.
Babalola pleaded not guilty to the charges and urged the court not to refer the matter to the High Court for trial.
Counsel for the defendant, Okobe Najite, pleaded with the magistrate to commit his client to bail, adding that he would provide credible sureties.
Ruling on the application, Magistrate O. A. Oloyade, granted the accused bail in the sum of N500,000, with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case till August 15 for mention.