Teenager arraigned over alleged N326,000 fraud in Osun
By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo –
A 19-year-old, Taoheed Olaniyan, has been arraigned before an Osun State Magistrates’ Court in Osogbo over alleged involvement in an online investment scam amounting to N326,000.
He was charged by the Osun State Commissioner Of Police, CP Ibrahim Gotan, on a two-count indictment of obtaining money under false pretence and stealing.
The prosecutor, Inspector Kayode Adepoju, told the court that the offences occurred on January 2, 2026, at about 4 p.m., at No. 1 Koledowo Estate, Ibuaje Community, behind Garage Ilesa, Osogbo.
According to him, “Taoheed fraudulently obtained and stole the sum of N326,000, the property of one Baruwa Augustine Oluwabukola, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Sections 390(9) and 419 of the Criminal Code, Cap 34, Vol. II, Laws of Osun State of Nigeria 2003.”
Inspector Adepoju further explained that the defendant met his 16-year-old victim on WhatsApp and introduced her to a Ponzi scheme, instructing her to pay N2,000 to earn N10,000. The victim then began sending money from her mother’s bank account.
In her statement, the victim’s mother said, “My daughter has the password to my bank account, and she transferred the money. I had warned her against participating when Taoheed introduced her to the scheme, but she went ahead unknowingly.”
Taoheed pleaded not guilty to the charges, while his lawyer, Barrister Najite Okobe, applied for bail on the most liberal terms.
The presiding chief magistrate, Dr. Olusegun Ayilara, granted bail in the sum of N500,000 with one surety of like sum and adjourned the matter to February 19, 2026, for mention.
