Imam docked for defrauding childhood friend of N8.7m

An Islamic cleric, Isiaka Adeleke, has been arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrate’s Court for allegedly defrauding his childhood friend of N8.7m.  Adeleke, 34, was said to have committed the crime at the Ojota area of Lagos.

It was learnt that the defendant tricked the complainant, Abdul Oladunjoye, into parting first with N1.7m in 2012 on the pretext of helping him to import a Lexus 300 saloon car from the United States.

Later in March, 2013, the complainant reportedly obtained a N7m loan, the money, he said was meant to revive his transport business. He was said to have sought Adeleke’s counsel and spiritual guidance.

The defendant, also known as Alfa, allegedly collected the sum from Oladunjoye in order “to pray for Allah’s blessings on the money.”

The police told the court that instead, Adeleke converted the money into personal use. He was later arrested and arraigned on four counts of fraud, stealing and conversion.

The charges read in part, “That you, Isiaka Yusuf Adeleke, with others at large sometimes in 2012 at 8, Onadejo Street, Olusosun Road, Ojota, Lagos, with intent to defraud, did obtain the sum of N1.7m to purchase one Lexus 300 saloon car from USA for Abdul Ismail Oladunjoye, a representation you knew to be false.

“That you, Isiaka Yusuf Adeleke, with others still at large with intent to defraud obtained the sum of N7m (seven million naira only) from Abdul Ismail Oladunjoye to pray for Allah’s blessings on the money to facilitate the transport business of two trucks he wanted to buy, a representation you knew to be false.”

The prosecutor, Emerho Frank, said the offences were contrary to Sections 312(1)(2), 278(2) and punishable under Sections 312(3), 285(9)(c), of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, Nigeria, 2011.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the four counts and elected summary trial at the Magistrate’s Court. His defence counsel urged the court to admit him to bail in liberal terms.

 The magistrate, Mr. J.A Adegun, admitted him to bail in the sum of N300,000 with two sureties each in like sum.

 The matter was adjourned till November 28, 2013.