The police on Tuesday, charged a 45-year-old man, Anifowoshe Sikiru, before an Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan, over alleged fraud.
Sikiru, whose address was not provided, is standing trial on a three-count charge bordering on obtaining by false pretence, stealing and deception.
He, however pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The prosecutor, ASP Femi Omilana, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on Sept. 2, 2025, at about 7.30 a.m., at the Ayegun area of Ibadan.
Omilana alleged that the defendant had rented a nine-inches block moulding machine worth N150,000 from one Mr Kazeem Adeniyi.
He alleged that he collected the machine with a promise to return same after a day’s work but failed to do so.
The prosecutor alleged that the defendant rented the machine from the complainant, and paid only N1,500, meant for a day’s job whereas, he held the machine for almost nine months.
He alleged that the defendant never paid the complainant for the remaining days.
The offences contravene the provisions of sections 390(9), 419 and 421(a) of the Criminal Law of Oyo State, 2000.
The Magistrate, Mrs Adebola Adeola, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.
Among other terms, the court held that one of the sureties must be a blood relation of the defendant.
She adjourned the case until July 6, for hearing. (NAN)
