An Ibadan-based businesswoman, Ajayi Oluwabukola Temitope, was on Wednesday, February 14, arraigned before an Oyo State High Court by the Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly obtaining N58.458 million by false pretence from her victims.
She was arraigned before the court presided over by Justice Kamorudeen Babatunde Olawoyin, on a four-count charge of obtaining by false pretence, an offence that contravenes Section 419 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 38, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
One of the charges read: “That you, Ajayi Oluwabukola Temitope ‘F’ on or about 9th April, 2021, at Ibadan, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of N23, 183, 000.00 (Twenty-three Million, One Hundred and Eight Three Thousand Naira) from Alhaji Yusuf Nadabo by falsely representing to him that the money is meant for the supply of four trucks of RC cola, Zero Cola and Coca Cola carbonated Soft drinks which pretences you knew to be false and thereby commits an offence of Obtaining Money by False Pretence contrary to Section 419 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 38, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.”
Another charge read:
“That you, Ajayi Oluwabukola Temitope ‘F’ on or about 5th June, 2021, at Ibadan, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud obtained the sum of N17, 375, 000.00 (Seventeen Million, Three Hundred and Seventy Five Thousand Naira) from Altine Musa by falsely representing to him that the money is meant for the supply of 4,500 cartons of carbonated soft drinks at the rate of N2,750.00 per carton and 6,500 cartons of Coca-Cola 35CL at the rate of N850.00 per carton which pretences you knew to be false and thereby commits an offence of Obtaining Money by False Pretence contrary to Section 419 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 38, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.”
She pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to her.
Responding to her pleas, prosecution counsel, Sanusi Musa Galandachi told the court that the defendant allegedly swindled her victims of their money under the pretext of supplying carbonated soft drinks to them.
He specifically told the court that Temitope fraudulently obtained the sum of N8.5million from one Idris Sheriff, N9.4million from one Ifeanyi Mmadubuike, N23.1million from one Alhaji Yusuf Nadabo and N17.3million from one Altine Musa respectively.
Consequently, he asked the court for a trial date and prayed the court to remand the defendant in the Correctional Centre due to the fact that she was a flight risk and would definitely jump bail if granted.
He disclosed that she jumped an administrative bail earlier granted her by the EFCC. He further added that there were several petitions recently received against the defendant that would soon be concluded for prosecution.
Responding to the prayers of the prosecution counsel, the defendant’s counsel, S.B. Ajibola pleaded with the court to admit his client to bail, adding that a bail application has been filed and served on the prosecution.
After listening to both counsels, Justice Olawoyin threw out the bail application filed by the defence counsel after upholding the submission of Galandachi that the defendant is a flight risk and ordered that the defendant be remanded in the EFCC detention facility pending the hearing and determination of the case.
Also, the court ordered for accelerated hearing for the prosecution to open and close its case.
The matter was adjourned till March 14, 15 and 21, 2024 for commencement of trial.
