A 50-year-old woman, Amope Adebanjo, who allegedly defrauded 13 persons of N22.9 million on the pretext of assisting them secure travel documents, appeared before the Abeokuta Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.

The defendant is facing a two-count charge of fraud and stealing.

Ms Adebanjo pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The prosecutor, Matthew Famuyiwa, told the court that the defendant committed the offences sometime between October 2020 and March 2022 in the Sodeke Titun area, Abeokuta.

Mr Famuyiwa explained that the defendant conspired with others still at large and represented herself as a travel agent who could assist the complainants in obtaining Canadian visas.

He said the defendant obtained N1.320 million from Omotoyosi Ayuba, N950,000 from Oludayo Arogundele, N970,000 from one Rukayat Iyoiola and N3.5 million from Ndidi Obiora.

He added that the defendant also collected N800,000 from Lanre Akindele, N 950,000 from Rafai Akinwunmi, N1.4 million from Segun Idowu, N1.2 million from Kazeem Oladele and N8 million from one Anate Iliahs.

Also, Ms Adebanjo allegedly obtained N950,000 from Azeez Quadri, N400,000 from Kemi Sanusi, N700,000 from Akinfemi Matthew, N750,000 from Oluwatosin Okunola and N1.5million from Sunday Morris.

Mr Famuyiwa said N22.99 million was obtained from the complainants, which the defendant converted to his own use, knowing he could not procure the visa.

The prosecutor said the offences contravened sections 516, 419 and 390(9) of the Criminal Law of Ogun 2006.

The Magistrate, A.K. Araba, granted the defendant bail of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.

She thereafter adjourned the case until March 29 for a hearing. 

(NAN)