A 52-year-old man has landed in the dock of an Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan, facing allegations of a N10 million con that reads like a political thriller gone wrong.
The suspect, Wale Adelani, was arraigned on Tuesday on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy, fraud, stealing, forgery and false representation.
He pleaded not guilty, setting the stage for a full legal battle.
According to the prosecution, led by Sgt. Akeem Akinloye, Adelani allegedly joined forces with others still at large in February 2023 at the Inalende area of Ibadan to pull off the scheme.
The police told the court that the defendant reportedly collected N10 million from one Michael Osatuyi, dangling the carrot of a government appointment before him.
To sell the story, the prosecution alleged that Adelani dressed himself in borrowed robes, presenting himself as Special Adviser on crude oil to President Bola Tinubu.
He was further accused of forging a signature and appending a Federal Government seal to a fake appointment letter issued to the complainant.
The prosecutor maintained that the defendant knew his claims were built on quicksand, insisting that the entire representation was false. He added that the money was allegedly taken and converted for personal use.
The offences, the court was told, contravene sections 390(9), 419, 467, 484 and 516 of the Criminal Law of Oyo State, 2000.
Ruling on bail, Chief Magistrate Mrs Olabisi Ogunkanmi granted the defendant bail in the sum of N2.5 million with two sureties in like amount.
She stipulated that one surety must be a landed property owner residing on the property, complete with a survey plan and agreement, while the second surety must be a blood relation of the defendant.
The matter was adjourned until March 19 for hearing.
