The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibadan Zonal Office, has arraigned 82-year-old Chief Olagoke Samson Amoo- Onidundu who claims to be the Baale of Onidundu area of Akinyele, Oyo state before Justice Iyabo Yerima of the Oyo State High Court, sitting in Ibadan for alleged land fraud.

The Octogenarian was docked on a four-count charge bordering obtaining money under false pretence, contrary to Section 1(1) (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act.

The complainant alleged that he bought four acres of land from the defendant for Four Million Four Hundred Thousand Naira (N4, 400,000) but he was later denied access to the land by some people who claimed to be the actual owners of the land.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against him.

In view of his plea, prosecution counsel, Dr Ben Ubi asked for a date for the commencement of trial. He also prayed the court remand the defendant at the Nigerian Correctional Centre.

The court adjourned the case till August 9, 2021, while the defendant was remanded at the Nigerian Correctional Centre, Abolongo.

In a related development, Justice Yerima convicted and sentenced one Aremu Ridwan Kunle to six months of community service after he was guilty of a criminal charge filed against him by the Commission.

Aremu was convicted on a six-count amended charge of obtaining money under false pretence contrary to Section 419 of the Criminal Code, 38 Cap Laws of Oyo State, 2000. He pleaded guilty to the charge.

Consequent to the guilty plea, prosecution counsel, Dr Ubi prayed the court to convict him according to the terms of a plea bargain agreement earlier made with the Commission.

After convicting the accused, the judge ordered him to restitute his victims: Jason Arthur, Paul Jackson and John Geditz the total sum of Three Hundred and Sixty United States Dollars ($360 USD). 

The court also ordered Aremu to forfeit one black and purple coloured Techno Spark 4 mobile phone and one silver coloured HP Laptop to the Federal Government of Nigeria.