For allegedly duping a prospective businessman of N1.2 million, an Islamic cleric, Abdullakeem Sulaimon, was on Friday arraigned in an Ota Senior Magistrates’ Court in Ogun.
Mr. Sulaimon, 33, who lives at No. 16, Joju St., Sango Ota, is standing trial on a three-count charge of obtaining by false pretence, stealing and conspiracy.
The prosecutor, lta Ebibomino, told the court that the cleric and one other person still at large committed the offences on December 18, 2013, at Joju area of Sango-Ota
Mr. Ebibomino, a police sergeant, said the accused induced one Adam Iginla to part with the money on the pretext that after praying over it, any business started with it would achieve good fortune.
The prosecutor said that after the cleric received the money, he did not return it to Mr. Iginla in spite of several demands.
Mr. Ebibomino said that the offences committed contravened sections 390, 419 and 516 of the Criminal Code, Vol. 1, Revised Laws of Ogun State, 2006.
The cleric, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges
Section 419 of the criminal code prescribes 15 years imprisonment for fraud.
The Magistrate, Titi Bello, granted the accused bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.
She said one of the sureties must be a senior officer on not lower than Grade level 14 in the state civil service while the other should have developed property.
The case was adjourned till May 19 for mention.
(NAN)