Two men have been arraigned before a Magistrate in Oshogbo, the Osun state capital for defrauding a serving Lawmaker in the Osun state House of Assembly the sum of N38 million supposedly as fee for ‘spiritual cleansing’.
Both men identified as Olakunle Muhammed, 41, and Rasheed Bakare, 55 were arraigned on Tuesday before an Osogbo Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly defrauding an Osun lawmaker the sum of N38m; both individuals were charged with three counts of conspiracy, theft, and fraud.
In his opening statement the prosecuting counsel, Mr. Moses Faremi, told the court that both accused men allegedly committed the offence between April and July at Oluajo area, Osogbo.
According to the counsel for the prosecution, the defendants jointly conspired to defraud the lawmaker Timothy Owoeye of N38m which they termed as fees for spiritual cleansing after pretending to organise a special prayer session which included bathing in the nude in a public space to avert a revelation foretelling the death of the state lawmaker.
The counsel for the prosecution concluded his opening statement saying the offences contravened sections 516 and 418, punishable under sections 419, 383(1) and 390(9) of the Criminal Code Cap 34 Vol.11 Laws of Osun, 2002.
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Both defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges, while the defense counsel, Mr. Ajibade Shittu, argued for the bail of his clients in the most liberal and affordable terms.
The Magistrate Olusegun Ayilara agreed with the defense counsel and granted bail despite objections from the prosecuting counsel, stating that the offence was a bailable one.
The magistrate, therefore, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N1m each and two sureties in like sum.
Ayilara said further that the sureties must reside within the jurisdiction of the court with evidence of tax payment and three passport-sized photographs attached, with an affidavit of means.
The magistrate also said that one of the sureties must be a civil servant on Grade Level 12, while the other should be a close relation of the accused, with landed property.
The case was further adjourned till November 9 for commencement of hearing.