Corps member arraigned for ‘defrauding police officer of N235k’ in Oyo

The police have arraigned a member National Youth Service Corps in Oyo state, Ukanwa Ikechukwu, for allegedly swindling its officer, Modupe Okpaleke, of N235,000.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the corps member was arraigned before a magistrates’ court sitting in Iyaganku, Ibadan, on Friday.

The police charged the defendant with alleged false pretence and theft.

During the court session, Olufemi Omilana, the prosecution counsel, said the corps member committed the alleged offence on December 4, 2022.

The police counsel said Ikechukwu, a graduate of physiotherapy, was attached to the police cottage hospital in Eleyele, Ibadan.

Omilana said Okpaleke had visited the hospital for medical attention to her leg problem when she met the corps member.

The prosecuting counsel said Ukenwa recommended that Okpaleke should buy a bicycle to facilitate her recovery.

Omilana added that the corps member “collected N235,000 from the officer to purchase the bicycle” but allegedly converted the money to his personal use.

The lawyer said the offence contravened the provisions of sections 390 (9) and 419 of the criminal code laws of Oyo State 2000.

But when the charges were read to the corps member, he pleaded not guilty.

M. I. Giwa-Babalola, the presiding magistrate, thereafter admitted him to bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.

The judge then adjourned the matter till May 25 for further hearing.