The police in Ogun State yesterday arraigned an oil magnate, Chief Salimon Abiodun Ajayi, at a Chief Magistrate’s Court sitting in Isabo, Abeokuta for fraudulently obtaining the sum of N105 million from a company, Alarab Properties.
The company is a subsidiary of Obasanjo Holdings Limited (OHL), owned by a former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. Ajayi, the Balogun of Ijemo in Abeokuta South Council Area and owner of the popular Rantipe Petroleum, was charged to court on a three-count bordering on forgery, fraud and stealing.
The police prosecutor, Sunday Eigbejiale, said the accused fraudulently forged the Sidipon Community Power of Attorney and fraudulently used same to obtain N105 million from Alarab Properties. Eigbejiale told the court that the accused obtained the huge sum in the sales of 67 acres of land at the Sidipon village, along Abeokuta- Sagamu Expressway. The police prosecutor said the offence was contrary to and punishable under Section 419 revised law of Ogun State 2004.
Ajayi, however, pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him. Moving motion for bail application, counsel to the accused, Akolade Afolabi, urged the court to admit his client to bail in line with constitutional provision, since the offence attracts no capital punishment.
The Magistrate thereafter adjourned the case till December 20, 2016.