A 30-year-old travel agent, Patrick Omojuwon, on Tuesday, stood before an Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ court Ibadan, to answer questions on fraud charges brought against him by the police.

The defendant whose address was not stated is standing trial on a four-count charge of fraud, stealing, conversion and breach of peace.

He was alleged to have obtained the sum of N24.8 million from a prospective emigrant seeking admission into a Football Academy in Sweden.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges

The prosecutor, Sergeant Akeem Akinloye, told the court that the defendant committed the offence in May 2025, at Ibadan.

He was alleged to have obtained the money from the complainant, Babalola Adetunji, under false pretences of helping him secure admission into the foreign football academy, for one Ademola Raphael.

The prosecutor alleged that the defendant failed to process the admission, after the money was paid into his Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) Account No: 0715341390 with the name Fulltec Grace Ltd.

He was alleged to have stolen the money from the complainant and used part of it to supply cassava and other materials, to make profit.

Mr Akinloye alleged that the defendant converted the remaining funds to his personal use.

Besides, the prosecutor told the court that the defendant also conducted himself in a manner likely to breach public peace, by boasting on phone to the complainant that the money paid to him “had gone.”

He was also alleged to have blocked the complainant on phone, to prevent him from reaching his line.

The offences contravene the provisions of sections 249(d), 390 (8)(b), 390(9) and 419 of the Criminal Law of Oyo State 2000.

The Chief Magistrate, Olabisi Ogunkanmi, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N10 million, with two sureties in like sum.

The court held that one of the sureties must own a property with agreement, building plan and survey, within the court’s jurisdiction.

She held that the other surety must be a blood relative of the defendant.

Ms Ogunkanmi consequently adjourned the case until October 20 for hearing. 

(NAN