Three persons were on Monday arraigned before an Ota Magistrates’ Court in Ogun State over the alleged theft of ₦4.3 million obtained under false pretences.
The defendants, Emmanuel Ekoyo, 39, Ayanga Elizabeth, 33, and Onuocha Chikezie, 26, are facing a four-count charge of conspiracy, stealing, fraud and obtaining money under false pretences.
They, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The prosecutor, ASP E.O. Adaraloye, told the court that the defendants allegedly committed the offences between June 23 and July 7 at Canaanland Church in Ota.
Adaraloye alleged that the defendants conspired to defraud the complainant, Kolade Adedamola, of ₦4.3 million under the pretext of selling him a monogram machine.
He further alleged that the defendants converted the money to their personal use instead of delivering the machine as promised.
According to the prosecutor, the offences contravene Sections 390(9), 421, 423 and 516 of the Criminal Law of Ogun State, 2006.
The Magistrate, Mrs O.O. Fadairo, granted each defendant bail in the sum of ₦500,000 with one surety in like sum.
She ruled that each surety must reside within the court’s jurisdiction, be gainfully employed and provide evidence of tax payment to the Ogun State Government.
The case was adjourned until Aug. 10 for hearing.
