A 25-year-old woman, Oluwabukola Adebayo, has been arraigned before an Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan, Oyo State, on charges of fraudulently obtaining the sum of N800,000 from a friend. The case offers a window into common fraud schemes and the initial stages of Nigeria’s criminal justice system.
The prosecutor, Inspector Olagoke Adegbenro, presented the case to the court, alleging that Adebayo and others currently at large committed the offence on October 3rd in the Ode-Aje area of Ibadan. The core of the accusation is a classic “obtaining by false pretence” scenario. Adebayo is alleged to have convinced her friend, Gbemisola Omoniyi, to give her N800,000 under the pretext of using the money to pay the school fees of the complainant’s brother who is studying abroad. Instead of fulfilling this promise, the prosecutor contends she converted the funds for her personal use.
This type of offence, often involving trust between acquaintances or promises of rendering a service, is prevalent. It highlights the importance of due diligence even in personal financial transactions, especially those involving significant sums and international payments.
The charges read against Adebayo are specific and grounded in state law:
- Conspiracy (Section 516): This charge indicates the prosecution believes she acted in concert with others, even if they are not presently in custody.
- Obtaining Money Under False Pretences (Section 419): This is the central charge, relating to the deceptive acquisition of the money.
- Stealing (Section 390(9)): This charge covers the act of dishonestly converting the money, which she was entrusted with for a specific purpose, to her own use.
These sections are from the Criminal Law of Oyo State, 2000, demonstrating how state laws prosecute such financial crimes.
In court, Adebayo entered a plea of not guilty. This plea sets the stage for a full trial where the prosecution must prove the allegations beyond a reasonable doubt. Magistrate Mrs. Olasinmibo Sanusi-Zubair granted the defendant bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties who must each be approved by the court and meet the same financial guarantee. The bail conditions are designed to ensure the defendant returns for her trial while upholding the principle that an accused person is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The case has been adjourned until January 27, 2026, for hearing. This adjournment allows time for both the prosecution and the defence to prepare their cases. The subsequent hearings will involve the presentation of evidence, witness testimonies (likely including the complainant, Gbemisola Omoniyi), and cross-examinations. The outcome will hinge on the strength of the evidence presented, particularly regarding the defendant’s intent and the false nature of her pretence.
This report, filed by Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko for the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), provides a factual basis for understanding a routine yet significant court proceeding. It underscores the legal ramifications of fraudulent financial dealings and the procedural steps—arraignment, plea, bail, and adjournment—that characterize the early path of a criminal case in Nigeria.
