Businesswoman faces trial for alleged N972,000 fraud

A 42-year-old businesswoman, Folake Opatola, on Friday, appeared at an Okitipupa Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ondo State for alleged fraud.

The defendant, who is of no fixed address, is standing trial in the court on a two-count charge of felony and advance fee fraud.

The Prosecuting Counsel, Insp Ayodeji Omoyeigha, told the court that the defendant on May 27, around 7:30 a.m. at Matanmi Street, Idepe in Okitipupa magisterial district, committed the offence.

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He said that the defendant obtained N972,500 from the complainant, one Rasheed Olawoyin under a false pretence of supplying him 100 kegs of 25 litres of palm oil without doing so.

Omoyeigha said that the defendant later refunded N286,000 when apprehended by the police but refused to refund the N686,500 balance.

The prosecutor said that the offences were contrary to Sections 516 and 419 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State, 2006.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges levelled against her.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr Dickson Ogunfuyi, admitted the defendant to N500,000 bail with two sureties in like sum with evidence of landed property and a year tax clearance paid to the state government.

He adjourned the case until Aug. 30 for further hearing.