An Egba High Chief and businessman, Chief Abiodun Ajayi, has been arraigned before an Abeokuta Magistrate’s Court for allegedly defrauding Alarab Properties, a subsidiary of Obasanjo Holdings Limited (OHL) of the sum of 105 million Naira.
Ajayi, who is the Balogun of Ijemo in Abeokuta South council area of the state was arraigned on a three-count charge bordering on alleged forgery, fraud and stealing.
The Police Prosecutor, Sunday Eigbejiale, said that the accused fraudulently forged the Sidipon Community Power of Attorney and fraudulently used same to obtain the sum from Alarab Properties.
He said the offenses were committed in a transaction involving the sale of 67 acres of land at the Sidipon village in Abeokuta, the state capital, southwest Nigeria.
The charge reads in part: “that you Salimon Abiodun Ajayi between 2007 and 2012, with intent to defraud, did obtain the sum of N105m, property of Alarab properties, a subsidiary of Obasanjo Holdings Limited, with pretext that you are in position to sell 67acres of land to Alarab Properties and thereby committed an offense contrary to and punishable under Section 419 of Ogun state 2004.
Ajayi who is also a petroleum products dealer, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges proffered against him.
His counsel, Mr Akolade Afolabi, urged the court to admit his client to bail in line with constitutional provision, since the offense attracts no capital punishment.
Citing section 36(5) of Nigerian constitution, Afolabi argued that an accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The counsel who argued that the purpose of bail is to secure the presence of the accused to face trial gave assurance that his client would not jump bail if granted.
Ruling on the bail application, Magistrate Oriyomi Sofowora granted the accused bail in the sum N250,000.00 with two sureties in like sum.
