Land dispute: Two Ondo chiefs arraigned

Two prominent chiefs in Ondo have been arraigned before a Chief Magistrate Court in the town for allegedly conspiring and fraudulently converting funds not theirs to personal use.

The duo are Chief Joseph Akinawonu and Chief Nureni Akinola, who appeared before Magistrate Odenusi Fadeyi, were docked on a three count charge.

The two suspects were accused of misleading and obtaining the sum of N500,000 from one Madam Eunice Ajayi under the pretence of selling ten plots of land for her.

The duo were also alleged to have fraudulently obtained another sum of N150,000 from the complainant under the pretence of assisting her to grade the landed property which the accused persons later sold out.

Their offence is contrary to Section 516, 419 and 249 of the Criminal Code Cap 37 Vol. 1 Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria 2006.

The accused person pleaded not guilty to the offence.

Police prosecutor, Corporal Gbenga Akinsulure, pleaded with the court to adjourn the sitting and allow him bring more witnesses against the two chiefs.

The counsel to the accused persons, Mr. Bade Awosule, urged the court to grant bail to his clients on self-recognition

Awosule further pleaded with the court that his clients had concluded plans to settle the case out of court with the complainant.

Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. Odenusi Fadeyi, granted bails to the accused person on self-recognition and ordered that the defence counsel stand surety for them.

Fadeyi, however, adjourned the case till 11th of May, 2016.