The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Folashade Botoku

  • Complainant’s absence stalls N39.7m fraud trial

    Trial of a 38-year-old self-acclaimed building contractor, Dehinbo Olatunji, accused of obtaining N39.7 million under false pretenses, was on Thursday stalled due to absence of the complainant in court.

    The defendant, whose residential address was not given, is facing trial before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, on a two-count charge of fraud and stealing preferred against him.

    When the case came up for trial, the complainant was absent and the Magistrate, Mrs Folashade Botoku, could not proceed.

    Botoku granted the defendant bail of N1 million with two sureties in like sum.

    The magistrate said that the sureties must be gainfully employed and show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government which must be verified.

    She then adjourned the case until March 25 for mention.

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    Police prosecutor, Inspector Ibrahim Haruna, had earlier told the court that the defendant committed the offences sometimes in June 2018 at Wasimi, Maryland in Lagos.

    Haruna said that Olatunji obtained N39.7 million from the complainant, Emmanuel Sunday, under the guise of using the money to complete a building project for him, but failed to do so.

    The prosecutor said that the money was paid into the defendant’s Zenith Bank account.

    The offences contravene Sections 287 and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

     

  • Building contractor charged with N39.7m theft

    A self-proclaimed building contractor, Dehinbo Olatunji, who allegedly obtained N39, 730,000 under false pretence, was on Thursday brought before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.

    Olatunji, 38, was arraigned by the Police before Chief Magistrate Folashade Botoku on a two-count charge of obtaining and stealing.

    Prosecuting Inspector Haruna Ibrahim alleged that the defendant committed the offences sometime in June 2018, at Wasimi Maryland, in Lagos.

    Ibrahim said Olatunji obtained N39, 730,000 from one Emmanuel Sunday, who deposited it in the defendant’s Zenith Bank account number bearing the name ‘Dehinbo Anthony Olatunji.’

    The court heard that the defendant collected the sum following an agreement that he would complete Sunday’s building project at Calabar, the Cross River State capital, but he failed to do so.

    According to the prosecutor, the offences contravened sections 314 and 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    Olatunji pleaded “Not guilty”.

    Chief Magistrate Botoku granted him bail in the sum of N1million, with two sureties in the like sum, among other conditions.

    The case continues on February 14.

  • Twins, six others docked for ‘diverting N31.7m cashew nuts’

    A set of twin brothers and six others, who allegedly diverted cashew nuts worth N31, 788,040 belonging to one Jamiu Oke were on Tuesday brought before an Igbosere Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.

    The six others are: Jelili Elo, 35, Adeshina Sikiru, 32, Sadiq Morufu, Femi Adegboyega, 27, Dada Ishola, 32, and Mohammed Yunusa, 28.

    They were arraigned by the Federal Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department (FCIID), Alagbon-Ikoyi, Lagos, before Chief Magistrate Folashade Botoku on a two-count charge of conspiracy and unlawful diversion.

    Prosecuting counsel Morufu Animashaun alleged that the defendants committed the offences on March 20, at Isolo area of the Lagos.

    He said Oke, a cashew nut dealer, contracted the defendants to sell the nuts valued at N31,788,040, but they diverted the money after the sale.

    Oke petitioned the FCIID, which began an investigation that indicted the defendants.

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    According to the prosecutor, the offences contravened sections 411 and 287(5) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

    Each defendant pleaded not guilty.

    Their counsel, Mr. M. A. Popoola, applied for their bail, “in the most liberal terms”, adding that they had responsible sureties and would not jump bail.

    Animashaun did not oppose him, but prayed the court to impose such terms that would ensure their attendance for trial.

    In a Bench Ruling, Chief Magistrate Botoku granted each defendant N2 million bail, with two sureties in the like sum.

    She remanded the defendants in prison custody, pending fulfillment of the bail terms and adjourned till September 4 for trial.

     

  • Ex-Naval officer charged with wife assault

    A retired naval officer, Olufemi Ibitoye, who allegedly assaulted his estranged wife, Mrs Olumide, on Wednesday docked before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.

    Ibitoye, who has been separated from his wife for over a year, was arraigned on a two-count charge of assault and unlawful possession of firearms before Chief Magistrate Folashade Botoku.

    Prosecuting counsel Dr Jide Martins alleged that the defendant committed the offences between June 30 and July, 21, 2017, about 1:55pm, at No. 28A, Adeyemi Lawson St., Ikoyi, Lagos.

    He said Ibitoye threw a six-inch block at his wife. The court also heard that Ibitoye was found in unlawful possession of a 9mm Browning Pistol with 107 live ammunitions.

    According to Martins, the offences contravened Section 27 ( 1 ) ( a ) of the Firearms  Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria ( LFN ), 2010 and Section 172 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    Ibitoye pleaded not guilty. His counsel, Mr. M. J. Onigbanjo ( SAN ), urged the court to grant him bail on self-recognisance or on liberal terms.

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    Onigbanjo said: “This is a matter arising from a breakdown of a marriage. The defendant and the victim have lived apart for over a year and he has demonstrated that he will not interfere with the investigations by submitting himself to the police whenever needed.

    “The defendant is a former naval officer with the intelligence unit; that explains why he was in possession of ammunition. I urge the court to grant bail to the accused on liberal terms.”

    Although Martins did not oppose the application, he prayed the court to order the defendant to cease any contact – direct or indirect – with the victim, as part of his bail terms.

    He added: “The victim is the defendant’s wife and we at the domestic violence unit want the safety of the woman.” In a Bench Ruling, Chief Magistrate Botoku granted him bail in the sum of N100,000 with one surety in the like sum.

    She ordered Ibitoye to not have any contact with the complainant and adjourned till May 30 for trial.