A 34-year-old man, Adeola Richard, was on Wednesday brought before an Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrates’ Court over alleged fraud and stealing.
The defendant, of No. 70, Bamigboye St., Ado-Ekiti, is standing trial on a two-count charge of fraud and stealing.
The prosecutor, Insp Olasunkanmi Bamikole, told the court that the defendant, a former staff of the Lift Above Poverty Organisation (LAPO LARDI), allegedly committed the offences on February 1 at about 10:00 a.m. at the organization’s office opposite the BEDC office in Ajilosun, Ado-Ekiti. He alleged that Richard forged a loan application form from the organisation to commit the stealing by conversion.
Bamikole also alleged that the defendant stole the sum of N2.5 million belonging to one Olaseni Omolabake, of LAPO LARDI.
He noted that the offences contravened Sections 374 and 295 of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against him.
Counsel to the defendant, Mrs Etuwewe Ibitoye, urged the court to grant the defendant bail, with a promise that he would not jump bail.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Adefunke Anoma, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N50,000 with two sureties in like sum.
Anoma said that the sureties must be a member of landlord association where the defendant resides or a civil servant of not less than grade level 14.
She adjourned the case until Oct. 9 for hearing.
