A 34-year-old trader, Joshua Arekete, was on Wednesday arraigned in an Okitipupa Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ondo State for allegedly defrauding one Rashidat Sadiku of N356,000.
The defendant is standing trial on a three-count charge bordering on fraud, stealing and threat to life.
The Prosecutor, Insp Zedekiah Orogbemi, told the court that the defendant allegedly committed the offences on Sept. 15 around 4:30p.m at No. 15, Ajose Street in Okitipupa.
Orogbemi alleged that Arekete withdrew the sum of N300,000 from Sadiku’s bank account with her consent, but refused to hand over the money to her.
The prosecutor also alleged that the defendant converted the money to his personal use.
He further said that the defendant stole a car battery valued at N30,000 and two car jacks valued at N26,000.
The prosecutor added that the defendant also threatened to kill the complainant if she reported the matter to the police.
He said that the offences were contrary to Sections 419, 390 (9) and 81of the Criminal Code, Cap.37, Vol.1, Laws of Ondo State, 2006.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges leveled against him.
The Chief Magistrate, Mr Musa Al-Yunus, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N400,000 with a surety in like sum.
Al-Yunus said that the surety must present evidence of a year tax clearance paid to the Ondo State Government and adjourned the case till Jan. 8, 2020 for further hearing. (NAN)
