BY TIMOTHY AGBOR, OSOGBO
The Osun State Police Command has dragged a 45-year-old suspected fake travel agent, Oguntomeso Olakitan before an Osogbo Magistrate’s Court for allegedly defrauding a Nigerian youth seeking to travel abroad.
Olakitan, who specialized in procuring visas for Nigerians seeking to travel abroad, was said to have fraudulently obtained the sum of N1.3 million from one Ijiwumi Opeoluwa Israel to procure Canadian, Turkish and South Korean visas for him.
Police prosecutor, ASP Fagboyinbo Abiodun told the court that the defendant was living in Osogbo when he allegedly committed the offence, but fled to Nasarawa State after obtaining the sum from the victim.
According to Abiodun, the police tracked Olakitan to Nasarawa before he was arrested and brought to Osogbo to face prosecution.
The defendant was also charged with stealing the sum of N1.3m from Israel.
“That you Oguntomeso Olakitan, sometimes in the year 2018 in Osogbo, Osun State, did unlawfully obtain the sum of N1,300,000:00 from one Ijiwumi Opeoluwa Israel under the pretence of procuring Canada, South Korea and Turkey Visa for him, a pretence you know to be false.
“You, Oguntomeso Olakitan, on the same date, time, place and in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did steal the sum of N1,300,000:00, property of one Ijiwumi Opeoluwa Israel,” the charge read.
Abiodun said Olakitan committed offences contrary to and punishable under Sections 419 and 390(9) of the Criminal Code Cap 34 Vol. II, Laws of Osun State of Nigeria, 2002.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the alleged offences.
Defense counsel, Okobie Najite urged the court to grant the accused bail in most simple terms adding that he would be available for his trial.
The presiding Magistrate, O.A Daramola granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500,000 and two sureties in like sum.
Daramola adjourned the case till November 11, for hearing.
