Abeokuta, Jan.15, 2026 (NAN) A 43-year-old man, Michael Baren, on Thursday appeared before an Abeokuta Chief Magistrates’ Court sitting in Isabo for allegedly stealing and converting the sum of N47 million to his personal use.
Baren, who has no fixed address, was arraigned on a three-count charge of conspiracy, stealing and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace, to which he pleaded not guilty.
The Prosecutor, Insp. Lawrence Olu-Balogun, told the court that the offence was committed sometime in December 2021 at the Interchange, Owode-Egba area in Abeokuta.
Olu-Balogun said the defendant conspired with others, now at large, to steal the sum of N47million belonging to one Mr Awodele Dare, the complainant.
He alleged that the money was meant to be delivered to Amani AI Terminal in the OPIC area of Isheri, Ogun State, by the defendant, who represented the company in the transaction.
According to the prosecution, the complainant and the employer to the defendant had a business transaction, which was later cancelled. Thereafter, he requested for a refund of his money.
“The complainant refunded the money through the defendant to the company, but the defendant failed to remit it to his employer as agreed.
“The defendant collected the sum of N47 million and converted it to his personal use without the consent of his employer or the complainant,” he said.
Olu-Balogun said the offences contravened the provisions of Sections 516, 390(9) and 247(d) of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun, 2006.
The Magistrate, Mrs A.K Araba, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N5million with two sureties in like sum.
She ordered that one of the sureties must be a blood relative, while the other must be gainfully employed, and both must reside within the magisterial district.
The magistrate adjourned the case until Feb. 2 for further hearing(NAN)
