An Ekiti State Chief Magistrate Court in Ado Ekiti has sentenced 58-year-old Nurudeen Ibrahim to five years imprisonment with hard labour for conspiracy, false pretence with intent to defraud and indecent assault.

Ibrahim was arraigned before the court on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, false pretence with intent to defraud and indecent assault.

The charge read, “That the defendant and others now at large in the month of September 2019 in Aramoko Ekiti in Ekiti West Local Government Area of Ekiti State did conspire to commit felony, to wit; felony, also did under false pretence and with intent to defraud obtain N10.4m from one Yinka and as well indecently assault the complainant.”

The police prosecutor, Inspector Elijah Adejare, said “The offences were punishable under Sections 516, 419, and 353 of the Criminal Code Cap C16, Laws of Ekiti State of Nigeria, 2012.”

The prosecutor 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 the sick bed, fetish materials, and a Toyota Camry car among others as exhibits.

 The defendant, who spoke in his own defence through his counsel, Busuyi Ayorinde, denied some of the allegations but admitted to having obtained N8m from the victim. He called one witness.

Delivering his judgment, Magistrate Olatomiwa Daramola said, “I found the defendant not guilty for offence of conspiracy, he is discharged and acquitted.

“However, he is found guilty of the offence of false pretence to defraud and convicted accordingly. He is hereby sentenced to five years imprisonment with hard labour or an option of restitution in the sum of N8m being the amount he admitted to have obtained from the victim which the court has found to be under false pretence in lieu of imprisonment.”

The court also held that the Toyota Camry which was found to be proceeds of crime be applied as part of the sum of N8m due to the complainant.

PUNCH