The police have on Thursday, arraigned two men over alleged defrauding of rice sellers and theft of property worth N17.4 million in Ibadan.
The defendants, who identified themselves as Teslim Lawal and Mutiu Omotunwase, were brought before the Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court, Ibadan.
Lawal, 48, and Omotunwase, 54, whose addresses were not provided, were arraigned on a six-count charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining money under false pretences, and theft.
They, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The prosecutor, ASP Olagoke Adegbenro, told the court that the defendants committed the offences on June 5 at the Agodi Gate area of Ibadan.
Adegbenro alleged that the defendants and others at large fraudulently obtained N1.5 million from Muibi Kabiru and N600,000 from Bolaji Oyetunbi under the pretext of supplying them with bags of rice.
He further alleged that the defendants stole a Mazda bus worth N15 million and two phones valued at N380,000, belonging to Kabiru.
According to the prosecutor, the defendants converted a total sum of N17.48 million obtained from the complainants to their personal use.
The offences contravene Sections 390(9), 419, and 516 of the Criminal Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
Magistrate Olasinmibo Sanusi granted the defendants bail in the sum of N2 million each, with two sureties in like sum.
She ordered that one of the sureties must be a blood relative of the defendant, while the other must be a civil servant with proof of employment.
The case was adjourned until July 6 for hearing.