Court Arraigns Businessman for Allegedly Duping Obasanjo’s Company

Sheriff Balogun in Abeokuta
A Magistrate Court at Isabo, Abeokuta, Ogun State, last Monday arraigned a businessman, Salimon Abiodun Ajayi, for allegedly swindling a company, Alarab Properties, a subsidiary of Obasanjo Holdings Limited, to the tune of N105million on a three-count charge bordering on forgery, fraud and stealing.

While reading out the charges in suit number MA\606\c\2016), the police prosecutor, Sunday Eigbejiale, said the accused had fraudulently forged Sidipon Community Power of Attorney and obtained the sum of N105million from the above company in the sales of 67 acres of land at the Sidipon village.

According to the charge, “That you Salimon Abiodun Ajayi on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magistrate district with intent to defraud, did obtain the sum of N105million property of Alarab, a subsidiary of Obasanjo Holdings Limited, with the pretext that you are in position to sell 67 acres of land to Alarab Properties, a subsidiary of Obasanjo Holdings Limited, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 419 revised law of Ogun State 2004.”

Moving motion for bail application, the counsel to the accused, Akolade Afolabi, urged the court to admit his client to bail in line with constitutional provision. Citing section 36 sub(5) of Nigerian constitution as amended, Ajayi who argued that an accused is presumed innocent until proven contrary, further contended that the purpose of bail is to secure the presence of the accused in court to face trial and not to punish him.

He, however, assured the court that Ajayi would not abuse the bail if granted.
Ruling on the bail motion, the presiding Chief Magistrate, Oriyomi Sofowora, admitted the accused to bail of N250, 000. 00 with two sureties in like sum.
The magistrate thereafter adjourned the case to December 20, 2016.