A 55-year-old man, Dauda Babalola, on Thursday appeared before an Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court, Ibadan, for allegedly defrauding a land buyer of N5.9 million.

Babalola, a resident of Ile Ekankanla, Alalubosa area, Oyo Town, was charged with a two-count charge of fraud and stealing, to which he pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, ASP Tunji Olaniyi, told the court that the defendant, on April 15, 2025, at Ilora town, obtained the sum of N5.95 million from one Semiu Waheed under the pretence of selling six acres of farmland to him.

Olaniyi said the land was located at Oloro Village, Elejigan farmland, Onifa, Ilora, via Oyo Town, a claim he knew to be false.

He alleged that the defendant fraudulently converted the money to his personal use.

According to the prosecutor, the offences contravened Sections 390(9) and 419 of the Criminal Code Laws of Oyo State, 2000.

The Magistrate, Mr M. Mudashiru, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N2 million with two sureties in like sum.

Mudashiru ruled that one of the sureties must be a blood relative of the defendant and must present a valid driver’s licence or voter’s card.

He added that the second surety must have a minimum of N5 million in his bank account.

He thereafter adjourned the case until March 5 for hearing.

(NAN)