Rice seller arraigned for allegedly defrauding customers N16.1 million

A 36-year-old rice seller, Olorode Hammed, was on Wednesday arraigned in an Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court, Ibadan, Oyo State, for allegedly defrauding customers of N16.1 million.
Hammed is facing trial on a 12 count-charge bordering on obtaining money under false pretence, shop breaking and stealing.
He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The prosecutor, Sergeant Samuel Owolabi, told the court that Hammed committed the offences sometime in July within the Ibadan metropolis.
Mr Owolabi alleged that the defendant collected the sum of N2 million from one Akeem Hassan, N3.6 million from one Morufu Mufutau, N8.5 million from one Abiola Bashir and many others, with the pretext of supplying bags of rice and beans to them.
He alleged that the defendant, who promised to buy the goods for the customers from the North, failed to do so and converted the money to his personal use.
Mr Owolabi alleged that the defendant also broke into the shop of one Opeyemi Saheed and stole 30 bags of rice worth N1.9 million all money totalling N16.1 million.
He said the offences contravened Sections 419, 414 and 390(9) of the Criminal Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
The Magistrate, Gladys Oladele, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N5 million and two sureties in like sum.
Mrs Oladele held that one of the sureties must be a blood relation to the defendant and adjourned the case until December 8 for hearing.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette

Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

States
Ibadan men nabbed for kidnapping five-year-old girl, demanding N10 million ransom
The suspects, Adegboye Seyi Sunday and Adegboye Elijah Adefemi, were nabbed in Ibadan by the police.

Economy
World’s Richest AI Creator: Meet Deepseek founder Liang Wenfeng worth $36 billion
Ranked among China’s 100 richest people, Mr Liang was on Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in AI in 2025 and on Fortune’s 100 Most Powerful People in Business.

Economy
FG expresses commitment to improving ease of doing business
FG says it remains committed to improving the ease of doing business, strengthening investor confidence and implementing policies that encourage enterprise growth.

Health
ATBUTH unveils digital app to enhance healthcare service delivery
The Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi, has unveiled a DHS mobile app to enhance healthcare service delivery.

Ibadan
Oyo Terrorists: ASNAT hails Oriire schoolchildren’s military rescue operation
The Association of Nigerian Artisans and Technicians has commended President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian military for rescuing abducted schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo state.

States
Navy reaffirms commitment to national development through civil-military relations
Nigerian Navy chief Idi Abbas has reaffirmed commitment to national development through strengthened civil-military relations and sustainable community development initiatives.





