A 65-year-old herbalist, Sikiru Mojereola, has been arraigned before an Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan over allegation of defrauding a Briton of N29.2 million.
The police charged Mojereola with conspiracy, fraud and conversion, following a complaint involving Lydia Villandre, a British woman.
Prosecution Counsel, PC Olapeju Durodola, told the court that Mojereola conspired with other persons, who are still at large, to commit the offence.
Durodola told the court that on July 12, the defendant invited Villandre from the United Kingdom to seek his services for the treatment of what he described as “spiritual problems” and to provide medication for her daughter, who suffers from epilepsy.
According to the prosecution, the defendant subsequently obtained £15,800 from Villandre, which was valued at approximately N29.2 million. The police maintained that the money was obtained in connection with the purported treatment and medication.
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Durodola said the offences contravened Sections 383 and 390(9), as well as Sections 419 and 516 of the Criminal Code Laws of Oyo State 2000.
When the charges were read to him, Mojereola pleaded not guilty to all the allegations. His Defence Counsel, Mr. K. O. Oyesola, thereafter urged the court to grant his client bail on liberal terms.
After considering the application, the Chief Magistrate, Mrs. Olabisi Ogunkanmi, granted Mojereola bail in the sum of N10 million.
The court also required the herbalist to provide two sureties in like sum as part of the bail conditions. Ogunkanmi ordered that the sureties must own property within the jurisdiction of the court.
The Chief Magistrate subsequently adjourned the matter until Sept. 4 for hearing. The case will allow the court to consider the evidence and arguments from both the prosecution and defence as the legal proceedings continue. Mojereola remains entitled to the presumption of innocence until the court determines otherwise.
NAN
