Police arraign woman, 21, over alleged fraud, impersonation

The police, on Wednesday, arraigned a 21-year-old woman, Anita Adeboye, before an Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrates’ Court over alleged fraud and impersonation.

The defendant, of no fixed address, is standing trial on a two-count charge of fraud and impersonation.

The Prosecutor, Insp Akinwale Oriyomi, told the court that the defendant and others at large committed the offences on Feb. 19 at about 1:00 p.m. in Igede-Ekiti.

Oriyomi said that the defendant and others at large obtained the sum of N1.1 million from the complainant, Mr Adegbulugbe Olarewaju.

He also said that the defendant, her husband and others at large impersonated customs officers to defraud the complainant.

Oriyomi said that the defendant claimed that Nigeria Customs Service wanted to auction some goods, including rice and cars.

He said that the complainant showed interest in purchasing the goods, but that the defendant failed to deliver them to him.

The prosecutor added that the defendant was arrested through tracking, while her husband fled.

According to him, the offences contravene Section 338(1) and 391 of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against her.

Counsel to the defendant, Mrs Adunni Olanipekun, urged the court to grant the defendant bail, with a promise that she would not jump bail.

The prosecutor, however, opposed the bail application, saying that if granted bail, she might likely jump bail and not be available for her trials in court.

Consequently, the Chief Magistrate, Mr Abayomi Adeosun, remanded the defendant in the Rapid Response Squad office till the adjourned date.

He adjourned the case till April 17 for mention.