By Agboola Bayo
Ibadan
An Ibadan based lawyer, Daranijo Adeniyi Ajibola, 53, has been arraigned before a Chief Magistrate Court sitting at Iyaganku in Ibadan on a two-count charge of defrauding a man identified as Femi Olaniyan of the sum of N 6 million.
Daranijo, who was arraigned before Chief Magistrate A.A. Adebisi, allegedly defrauded Olaniyan on the pretence of selling a landed property to him.
The accused was also alleged to have fraudulently converted the N6 million, which is property of Mr Laniyan to his personal use thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 383 and punishable under section 390(9) OF THE Criminal Code Cap 38 Vol11, Laws of Oyo state of Nigeria 2000.
He had pleaded not guilty to the charge and was granted bail in the sum of N500, 000 with two sureties in like sum.
In his written statement on oath, Laniyan had averred that an estate agent that he asked to help him scout for property around Onireke area of Ibadan with the aim of purchasing same had introduced Barrister Daranijo to him.
He said the accused had shown him several property after which he settled for one belonging to Ambassador Ezekiel Oladeji and he gave a deed of conveyance registered as 18/18/3413.
According to him, Daranijo claimed to have the authority of the owner to transact on his behalf as he needed the money for his wife’s medical treatment and only accepted N43m instead of the asking price of N45m, he therefore paid N43m into Daranijo’s account after which he became elusive.
The petitioner further stated that the lawyer insisted he should add N2m to the money paid before the documentation for the transfer and original documents would be handed over to him.
He, however, agreed to pay N1m and after which nothing came forth till he went on vacation in August and he demanded a refund, adding that he had to inform the police before the lawyer refunded N37 million with a promise to pay the remaining.
