Two men arraigned over alleged ₦6.9m fraud in Ondo
By Boye Oyeyemi
Two men have been arraigned before separate Magistrate’s Courts in Akure, Ondo State, over allegations of defrauding two individuals of a combined ₦6.9 million in separate incidents.
The defendants, Ademola Samson, 28, and Ajila Matthew Odunayo, 45, are facing charges bordering on obtaining money under false pretences, stealing and fraudulent conversion.
Samson was accused of obtaining ₦502,000 from Olarewaju Olabode under the pretext of supplying musical instruments. Police prosecutor, Taiwo Oniyere, told the court that the defendant allegedly collected ₦200,000 on December 25, 2025, ₦102,000 on April 11, 2026, and another ₦200,000 on April 23, 2026.
According to the prosecution, the alleged offences contravened relevant provisions of the Criminal Code, Cap. 37, Volume I, Laws of Ondo State, 2006. Samson pleaded not guilty to the four-count charge, while the prosecution indicated its intention to call three witnesses. His counsel, G.M. Obabo, subsequently applied for bail, assuring the court that his client would not abscond.
Magistrate Olusola Olujobi granted Samson bail in the sum of ₦500,000, with two sureties in like sum, and adjourned the case until November 2, 2026, for further hearing.
In the second case, Odunayo was accused of obtaining ₦6.4 million from Chief (Mrs) Adejuyigbe Olusola Opeyemi by allegedly impersonating her son-in-law. The prosecution alleged that the incident occurred around August 15, 2025, and that Odunayo subsequently converted the money to his personal use. He pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge of obtaining money under false pretences and fraudulent conversion.
The prosecutor, I.O. Osobu, told the court that the prosecution intended to call 10 witnesses. Odunayo’s counsel, I.R. Omnidougha, applied for bail, adding that discussions were ongoing between the parties to resolve the dispute amicably.
In her ruling, Magistrate Damilola Sekoni granted Odunayo bail in the sum of ₦2 million, with two sureties in like sum, and ordered him to deposit ₦1 million into the Ondo State Judiciary account. The case was adjourned until October 30, 2026, for further hearing.
