A couple, Anthony Ominigbo, 56 and Alice Ominigbo, 42, were on Wednesday arraigned in an Okitipupa Magistrates’ Court in Ondo State over alleged advanced fee fraud of N950,000.
The defendants, a farmer and trader of No. 45, Akinbobola Street, Ayeka in Okitipupa, are standing trial in the court on a three-count charge of conspiracy, felony and advance fee fraud (419).
The prosecutor, Insp. Zedekiah Orogbemi, told the court that the first defendant on Oct. 20, 2017 around 2 p.m at Ayeka, Okitipupa, fraudulently obtained N540,000 from Alice Wiliki under the guise of supplying Molasis Sugar but failed to supply the commodity.
The prosecutor added that the second defendant on Dec. 14, 2017 around 12.30 p.m. along Okitipupa-Igbokoda road unlawfully collected another N410,000 from Wiliki on false pretext to also supply Molasis sugar which she failed to supply.
Orogbemi said that the offences were contrary to and punishable under sections 516, 355 and 419, Criminal Code, Cap.37, Vol.1, Laws of Ondo State 2006.
However, both pleaded not guilty to the charges levelled against them.
The Magistrate, Mr Banji Ayeomoni, granted them bail in the sum of N300,000 each and a surety each in like sum, adding that the sureties must be residents of Okitipupa and must present a year tax clearance.
He also said that the sureties must have landed properties in Okitipupa as part of the bail conditions as he adjourned the case till Jan. 29 for further hearing. (NAN)
