Six persons have been brought before a Magistrate Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital for allegedly defrauding taxpayers of about N1.7 million
The defendants were arraigned by the State Security Services (SSS) for alleged possession of fraudulent documents, forgery, using false documents and counterfeit seals and impersonation.
The six defendants are Olarewaju Adesoye, Mayowa Nelson Ajisafe, Matthew Ilesanmi Olarenwaju, Olorunfemi Osho, Joseph Sunday Balogun and Ajayi Temidayo.
The prosecutor, Mr Olaolu Olayinka, told the court that the defendants sometimes between October and November at Ado-Ekiti, did conspire among themselves to commit offence to wit obtaining money by false pretence.
Olayinka who is the legal officer of SSS, said, “At the same time and place with intention to defraud, did obtain the sum of N1,795,000, from Olumide Damilola, Ayeni Rachael Fummilayo, Fakunle Olasunkanmi Olatunbosun, Ogidi Kayode Emmanuel and others.
“They did possess fake tax clearance certificates of the Ekiti State Internal Revenue Service.
“They did forge the signature of one Olaniran Olatona, the executive chairman of Ekiti State Internal Revenue Service.
“They did fraudulently used a counterfeit seal of Ekiti State Internal Revenue Service.
“That they did falsely represent themselves as Staff of Ekiti State Internal Revenue Service with intent to defraud”.
All the six defendants pleaded not guilty to the six counts charge preferred against them.
Mr Timi Omotoso, who is their counsel urged the court to grant bail to his clients, saying they are men of integrity, adding that they would provide credible surety.
The Magistrate, Mr. Ojo. Adeosun, granted bail of N500,000 each, one surety with two defendants, (three sureties for the six defendants) with landed property in Ado-Ekiti.
The case was adjourned till Friday, January 26, 2024.
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