The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has re-arraigned a 73-year-old man, Murtala Adebayo, also known as Oloriebi of Ajaland, before the Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja for allegedly defrauding his son-in-law of N19 million.
The EFCC docked Adebayo before Justice Rahman Oshodi on a three-count charge of conspiracy, stealing, and obtaining money by false pretences.
The defendant was initially arraigned before Justice Mojisola Dada on January 24, 2024, where he pleaded not guilty to the charges in Yoruba. Still, the case was later resigned to Justice Oshodi.
The anti-graft agency had claimed that Murtala Adebayo committed the alleged offences in 2015 in Lagos State.
The commission also alleged that the defendant fraudulently obtained N4,500,000 from Gafar. His son-in-law, Ademolake, falsely claimed that the payment was for three plots of land in Ogombo, Ajah, Lagos, a claim he allegedly knew to be false.
The defendant was further accused of obtaining N5.5 million from Ademolake, misleading him into believing it was part payment for 18 plots of land in Ayogbemi Village, Ibeju, Lekki, Lagos, another claim he allegedly knew was untrue.
He is also charged with defrauding Ademolake in 2019 by obtaining three vehicles (two 2005 Toyota Camry models and one 2006 Honda Accord) with an agreed value of N9 million under the pretence that the payment was the remaining balance for the 18 plots of land in Ayogbemi Village, Ibeju, Lekki, Lagos, a representation he allegedly knew to be false.
The defendant pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to him on Tuesday.
Following the development, the EFCC prosecution lawyer, Sa’adatu Yabo, urged the judge to fix a trial date.
Defence counsel Bamidele Ogundele asked the court to allow the defendant to continue enjoying the bail conditions previously granted by Justice Dada.
Justice Oshodi ruled that the Deputy Registrar must verify all documents and ensure compliance within 14 days. The court then adjourned the matter for trial until March 7, 2025.
