A 63-year-old man, Olajide Dauda, on Wednesday appeared before an Ile-Ife Magistrates’ Court for allegedly obtaining  N1.4 million under the guise of selling land.

Dauda is standing trial on a two-count charge of fraud and conversion.

The prosecutor, Inspector Jimoh Irewole, told the court that the defendant committed the offences sometime in January 2024, at 12.30 p.m. at Ilupeju area of Ipetumodu in Ife North Local Government Area, Osun State.

Irewole said that the defendant fraudulently obtained the sum of N1.4 million from one Adebisi Adeyemi, under the pretext of selling six plots of land located at Ode-Omu Road, Ipetumodu, to him.

He added that the defendant failed to sell the land but converted the said money to his own use.

According to him, the offences contravene Sections 390(9) and 419 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Osun, 2002.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The defence counsel, Leke Dada, urged the court to grant bail to the defendant on liberal terms.

He promised that his client would not jump bail, but would provide reliable sureties.

Magistrate O.B Adeduwura granted the defendant bail in the sum of N1 million with two sureties in like sum.

She ordered that the sureties should reside within the court’s jurisdiction and swear to an affidavit of means.

The magistrate also held that the sureties should show evidence of tax payment with three recent passport photographs and their addresses verified.

The case was adjourned until February 3 for mention.

(NAN)