By Adebisi Fatima Sogbade
Three self-acclaimed Islamic clerics identified as Hadi Ibrahim, Moshood Liadi, and Wakilat Alila appeared before an Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan for allegedly duping a man of N2.3 million under the guise of conducting spriritual cleasing for his son.
Ibrahim, 49, Liadi, 50 and Alila, 52, whose addresses were not provided, are standing trial over alleged conspiracy, fraud and stealing.
Each of defendants pleaded not guilty to the three-count charge.
The Prosecutor, ASP Sikiru Opaleye, told the court that the defendants committed the offences with some others still at large sometimes in April at Olunde area of Ibadan.
Opaleye alleged that the defendants collected the N2.3 million from the complainant, Alhaji Rasaq Adegoke, on the pretext of conducting a spiritual cleansing for his son.
Opaleye said the defendants converted the money to their personal use and all efforts made by the defendant to get back his money proved abortive.
He said that the offences contravened Sections 383, 419 and 516 of the Criminal Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Olabisi Ogunkanmi, granted each of the defendant’s bail in the sum of N750,000, and with two sureties each in like sum.
Ogunkanmi ordered that one of the sureties must be related to the defendants and adjourned the case until Oct. 22 for mention. (NAN)
