A 51-year-old man, Adedamola Akintola, on Thursday appeared before the Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan over the alleged theft of N1.2 million mistakenly transferred to his bank account.

Mr Akintola, of No. 21, Isawo Road, Ikorodu, Lagos State, was arraigned on a one-count charge of stealing. He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecutor, Tunji Olaniyi, told the court that the money, the property of Ismael Atere of the Ayegun Olomo area in Ibadan, was erroneously transferred into the defendant’s account.

Mr Olaniyi alleged that after being contacted and confirming receipt of the money, Mr Akintola refused to return it to the complainant.

He said the matter was reported at the Iyaganku Area Command in Ibadan, and the defendant was later tracked to Ikorodu and arrested.

According to the prosecutor, the offence contravenes the provisions of section 390(9) of the Criminal Law of Oyo State, 2000.

The chief magistrate, M. Mudashiru, granted the defendant N1 million bail with two sureties in like sum.

Mr Mudashiru ruled that one of the sureties must be a blood relative bearing the same surname as the defendant, while the second surety must present an international passport to the court.

He held that the passports are to be submitted and held until the final determination of the case.

The court adjourned the case until August 17 for hearing.

(NAN)