How Suspected Fake Gold Dealers Nabbed In Osun

By Grace Isaac

No fewer than five suspected fake gold dealers were on Friday remanded in prison custody by an Osun State Magistrate Court for allegedly defrauding one Samuel Osonuga to the tune of $1000 US Dollars.

The suspects are ; Agunsoye Emmanuel (22), Richard Kunle Shoroye (57), Akinmodiro Akintomiwa (43) Mani Chiroma (40) and Sunday Okeakpu (50).

The Presiding Magistrate, Mrs Habibat Basiru who gave the order said that the suspects be kept behind the bar because of criminal nature of the offense committed.

Police Prosecutor,  Mr Felix Okafor had told the court that the suspects conspired and obtained a sum of $1000 US Dollars equivalent to 22, million and five hundred thousand naira under false pretence on the 12th of August, 2017 at Ilesha in Osun State.

Okafor further explained that the suspects allegedly duped the victim under the pretence of supplying him a genuine gold which was false.

He alleged that suspects later supplied some objects suspected to be fake gold to Samuel.

The offence according to the Prosecutor, was contrary to Section 8 (a),1(1) (c) and punishable under Section 1(1) (a) (3) 1(13) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other related offence Act 2006.

But the accused pleaded not guilty to the allegations preferred against them.

The Defense Counsel, Mr K. E Ngwoke applied for the bail of the accused persons in the most liberal terms.

Ngwoke who assured the court that the accused would not jump bail if granted said reliable sureties would stand for the accused persons.

However, Police Prosecutor opposed the bail application made by defense counsel on the ground that the suspects will jump bail if granted.

Ruling on the matter, Magistrate Habibat Basiru turned down the oral bail application and ordered the suspects to be remanded in custody at Ilesha prison.

She, thereafter, adjourned the case till Jan 10, 2018 for hearing  at Ilesha magistrate court.