A 25 year-old student, Blessing Akingbade, on Friday, was brought before an Okitipupa Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ondo State over alleged N750,000 accommodation scam.
The defendant, whose address was not given, is facing a two-count charge of advance fee fraud and stealing.
The Police prosecutor, ASP Zedekiah Orogbemi, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on Aug , 5, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Oke Iloro in Okitipupa, Okitipupa magisterial district.
Orogbemi said that the defendant allegedly fraudulently received N750,000 from one Mrs Odunayo Akinbolade on the pretext of assisting the latter secure an apartment for her daughter, also a student, in Okitipupa.
The prosecutor said that that the defendant made the misrepresentation knowing same to be false and later converted the money collected to her own use.
The prosecutor said that the defendant committed the offences, which contravened and was punishable under Sections 419, 390 (9) of the Criminal Code, Cap. 37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State, 2006.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges levelled against her.
The Chief Magistrate, Mr Cletus Ojuola granted the defendant bail in the sum of N200, 000 and a surety in like sum.
He added that the surety, must be resident within the court jurisdiction and must show and present evidences of two years tax payment made to the state government.
He, adjourned the case until Jan.18, for further hearing.
