By; Niyi Ogungbola, Abeokuta.
A popular oil magnate in Abeokuta, Chief, Salimon Abiodun Ajayi has been arraigned before a Chief Magistrate court sitting in Isabo, Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital for fraudulently obtaining the sum of N105m from a company, Alarab Properties, a subsidiary of Obasanjo Holdings Limited (OHL).
Ajayi who is the Balogun of Ijemo in Egbaland was arraigned on a 3-count charge bothering on forgery, fraud and stealing.
The Police Prosecutor, Inspector Sunday Eigbejiale who read the count charges before the accused in case number:
MA/606/C/2016 said Ajayi fraudulently forged the signature of the Sidipon Community’s Power of Attorney to fraudulently obtain the sum of N105m from former President Olusegun Obasanjo in the sales of 67 acres of land at the Sidipon village to his company.
The prosecutor further stated that Ajayi collected the said amount of money with intent to defraud the Obasanjo Holdings’ subsidiary company, thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 419 revised law of Ogun state 2004.
The counsel to the accused, Akolade Afolabi urged the court to admit his client to bail in line with the 1999 Constitution (as amended) which presumed the accused innocent until proven otherwise.
Cited section 36 sub(5) of Nigerian constitution as amended in his arguementt that the purpose of bail is to secure the presence of the accused in court to face trial and not to punish him.
He assured that Ajayi would not abuse the bail if granted.
Ruling on the bail motion however, the presiding Chief Magistrate, Magistrate Oriyomi Sofowora admitted the accused to bail of N250, 000: 00 with two sureties in the like sum.
The Magistrate thereafter, adjourned the case till 20th December, 2016.
