‘Baale’ Owode Of Osogbo Bags 12 Months Jail Term For defrauding Prophet

By Grace Isaac

A Magistrate Court sitting in Osogbo on Monday sentenced a 50-year-old man , Mustapha Nasiru, to 12 months imprisonment for defrauding a prophet of celestial church of God to the tune of N650,000.

Nasiru, the Baale Owode of Osogbo” Ataoja in Council” was arraigned on April 20, 2017 on a three – count charge bothering on fraud, stealing and threat to life in which he pleaded not guilty and was granted bail of 100,000 With two sureties.

The Prosecutor, Insp. Taiwo Adegoke, told the court that the convict committed the offense sometimes in May 2016 at Owode area, Osogbo.

He said the convict fraudulently collected the sum of N650,000 from one prophet Adeyeye Jesutoki from celestial church of God with intent to sell two plots of land located at Owode area to him.

The Magistrate, Mrs Adijat  Oloyade convicted and sentenced Nasir to ten months inprisonment with an option of fine of amounting to N20,000.

Presenting the fact of the case before the court, Prosecutor said ” The convict received the complainant and collected N650,000 from him knowning fully that the land did not belong to him.

” He even threatened to kill the complainant when he asked after his money,” he said.

The prosecutor said the offense committed contravened sections 419, 390(9), and 86 of the criminal code cap 34 volume 11 laws of Osun, 2003.

The convict was found guilty by the Magistrate after several proceedings.

While delivering judgment on Monday the magistrate said the prosecutor has proven his case beyond reasonable doubt and thereby convicted Nasiru on count one and three.

The defence counsel Mr S. O Popoola pleaded to court to temper justice with mercy. He said the convict has learnt some lessons and that he was still learning.

Magistrate Oloyade discharged the convict on count two of the charge and sentenced him to 12 months imprisonment on count one with options of 10,000 and 12 months on count three with options of 10,000.

She said the sentence should run concurrently.