On Monday, the police charged three men before a magistrate’s court in Ota, Ogun state, for defrauding a man of N4.3 million.

The defendants are Emmanuel Ekoyo, 39, Ayanga Elizabeth, 33, and Onuocha Chikezie, 26.

The trio are standing trial on a four-count charge of stealing, conspiracy, fraud and obtaining money under false pretence. They each, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The prosecutor, E.O. Adaraloye, told the court that the defendants committed the offences between June 23 and July 7 at Canaanland Church in Ota.

Mr Adaraloye alleged that the defendants conspired to defraud the complainant, Kolade Adedamola, of N4.3 million by promising to sell him a monogram machine.

He alleged that the defendants converted the money to their personal use.

The offences contravene the provisions of sections 390(9), 421, 423, and 516 of the Criminal Law of Ogun State, 2006.

The magistrate, O.O. Fadairo, granted the defendants bail of N500,000 each with one surety each in like sum.

She held that the surety must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and must be gainfully employed with evidence of tax payment to the state government.

The court adjourned the case until August 10 for hearing.

(NAN)