BY TIMOTHY AGBOR, OSOGBO
A 67-year-old cocoa beans farmer, Johnson Siyanbola Abiodun, has been arraigned by the Osun State Government for alleged N33 million fraud.
The State Ministry of Justice dragged Abiodun before Chief Magistrate Olusola Aluko in Osogbo on three count-charge bordering on fraud, stealing and false swearing.
According to prosecuting counsel from the ministry, Abiodun Badiora, the accused person committed the act on November 17, 2020 at about 11:00am.
He said the defendant, with intent to defraud, did obtain the sum of N20,000,000:00 from a company, Wakman Heritage Limited.
Badiora added that the accused, on the same date and time, did steal the sum of N13 million naira, property of Wakman Heritage Ltd.
However, the prosecutor also informed tye court that the sexagenarian swore to an affidavit where he lied about having cocoa beans in his custody and that he would supply to Wakman Golden Heritage Ltd within ten days of receiving an advance payment from the company.
The offenses are said to be contrary and punishable under Sections 419, 390 and 390(9), 117 and 118 of the Criminal Code, Cap 34, Vol II, Laws of Osun State, 2002.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the allegations levelled against him.
Counsel to the accused, A.O. Olodo applied for his bail and urged the court to make it affordable.
Ruling on the oral bail application, Aluko, of an Osogbo Chief Magistrate Court, granted the defendant bail in the sum of 2.5 million naira with two sureties in the same amount.
The matter was adjourned till January 19, 2023 for hearing.
