Businessman docked over alleged N370,000 fraud

A 40-year-old businessman, Godfrey Ikpecha, on Thursday appeared before an Okitipupa Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ondo State for alleged N370,000 fraud. The defendant of no fixed address is facing a two-count charge of advanced fee fraud and conversion of other people’s property to personal use. The Prosecutor, Insp. Zedekiah Orogbemi, told the court that the […]

A 40-year-old businessman, Godfrey Ikpecha, on Thursday appeared before an Okitipupa Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ondo State for alleged N370,000 fraud.

The defendant of no fixed address is facing a two-count charge of advanced fee fraud and conversion of other people’s property to personal use.

The Prosecutor, Insp. Zedekiah Orogbemi, told the court that the defendant committed the crime on Feb. 27 at about 10:30 am, at No. 31 Akinwunmi Str., Okitipupa.

Orogbemi said the accused obtained N370,000 from one Temitope Ayodele in the pretence of supplying 120 pieces of 30 litres jerry cans of palm oil.

He said that the defendant failed to supply the cans of palm oil as promised and converted the money to his personal use.

The prosecutor said that the offences contravened Sections 419 and 383 of the Criminal Code.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr Musa Al-Yunus, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500,000, with one surety in like sum.

Al-Yunus said that the surety must be resident within the court’s jurisdiction and also show evidence of a year tax clearance from the Ondo state government.

He adjourned the case until June 7 for further hearing. (NAN)