Artisan allegedly defrauds Ondo Commissioner of Police of N300,000

An artisan identified as Bukola Bolaji, has been arraigned at an Akure Magistrates’ Court for allegedly duping the Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, Abiodun Asabi of N300,000.

According to police prosecutor, Inspector Simon Wada, the suspect collected the money under false pretense and converted it to his personal use.

Bolaji appeared before Magistrate Damilola Sekoni on Friday for committing the offence which contravenes Section 418 and punishable under Section 419 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State, 2006.

Wada told the court that the 38-year-old defendant collected the money on December 15, 2023 under the guise of constructing 12 casement aluminum windows for the complainant, which he did not do.

The Police Prosecutor asked the court to use its discretion in remanding the defendant in a correctional centre for the prosecution to bring its witnesses against him. The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the offence.

But counsel to the defendant, Mrs R.O. Omosile, asked the court to grant her client bail in liberal terms, arguing that under the law, Bolaji was presumed innocent until otherwise proven.

Omosile promised that if the bail was granted, the defendant would always present himself in court for hearing.

Magistrate Sekoni granted the defendant bail in the sum of N100,000, with two reliable sureties in like sum. He adjourned the case till March 15.