By Funmilayo Olusanya
Five Suspects, have been arraigned before the Osogbo magistrate court on Tuesday for alleged land fraud and threat to life of one Sheu Yunusa.
The defendants include: Fajuyi Sunday, 65, Segun Akande, 47, Akande Lateef, 35, Adedokun Wasiu, 42, and Ogunwoye Nathaniel, 44.
They were tried on six-count charge bordering on conspiracy to commit felony, fraud and threat to life.
Police prosecutor, ASP Adegoke Taiwo told the court that the first three defendants in 2020 at Kelebe area in Osogbo pretended as owners of a plot of land located at Idi Ogungun, Iragbiji Road and obtained N527,000 from one Sheu Yunusa under the pretence of selling the land to him.
According to Taiwo, the victim had already started construction of a four-bedroom apartment when the last two defendants, on February 20, 2022, forcibly entered the structure, erected a fence around it, and threatened to deal with Yunusa if he continued with the property’s building.
Taiwo stated that the alleged offences contravane sections 516, 419, 390(9), 81, 249(d) and 86 of the criminal code Cap 34 Vol. 1 Laws of Osun State of Nigeria 2002.
The accused entered a not guilty plea on the six count-charge.
Defense counsels, Barristers Philips Osuntola, T.O Idowu who represented 2nd, 3rd and 5th defendants, Okobie Nagite for 1st and 4th defendants in their separate bail application urged the court to grant the accused bail on most liberal terms.
The presiding Magistrate, A.K Ajala then granted the defendants bail with N200,000 each and one surety in like sum.
Ajala adjourned the case to November 15 for possible report of settlement.
