A Chief Magistrate’s Court sitting in Ado Ekiti has sentenced Nurudeen Ibrahim to five years imprisonment with hard labour over conspiracy, false pretence with intent to defraud and indecent assault.
The 58-year-old convict, and others now at large, in September 2019 in Aramoko Ekiti in Ekiti West LGA of Ekiti State conspired to commit a felony.
The convict, under false pretence and with intent to defraud, obtained N10.4 million from one Yinka and also indecently assaulted the complainant.
The police prosecutor, Inspector Elijah Adejare, said the offences are punishable under sections 516, 419, and 353 of the Criminal Code Cap C16, Laws of Ekiti State of Nigeria, 2012.
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The victim in her testimony before the court said, “I am a businesswoman based in Lagos, I have partnerships with various big companies. Sometime in September 2019, I had problems with my business, I told my father who resides in Aramoko Ekiti, he asked me to come home.
“I was initially adamant to come but when the problem persisted, I came to Ekiti. My father took me to the defendant whom I later knew to be a herbalist.
“Thereafter, I discovered he had used a charm on me, he was collecting my money in the pretence of finding solution to my problems, he slept with me severally, I have sold my cars and house among others to the tune of N10.4 million which he collected from me.
“He collected some of my personal belongings and gave them to his wife. I bought a car for him from the proceeds of my sold properties with evidence. When I became seriously sick, I begged him to please give me part of the money to take care of myself but he refused instead he threatened me not to tell anybody what transpired between us and that if I did, is either I die or run mad.”
The prosecutor, Inspector Adejare, called seven witnesses and tendered statements of the victim and that of the defendant; statements of account of the victim, photographs of the victim on a sick bed, fetish materials, and Toyota Camry car among others as exhibits.
The defendant spoke in his own defence through his counsel, Busuyi Ayorinde, denying some of the allegations but admitted to having obtained N8 million from the victim, he called one witness.
Magistrate Olatomiwa Daramola said the convict was found guilty of the offence of false pretence to defraud and convicted him accordingly.