A 31-year-old married woman, Ajayi Esther, has been arraigned before the Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ado-Ekiti on charges of fraud, impersonation, and breach of peace.
The defendant, Esther, allegedly deceived the complainant, Ajayi Oluwabusuyi, by claiming to be single and agreeing to marry him. Under the pretense of an engagement ceremony, she collected N607,500 from him, which she failed to follow through with.
Mrs. Esther is standing trial on a three-count charge of fraud, impersonation, and breach of peace. During the court hearing, the prosecutor, Insp Sodiq Adeniyi, told the court that the defendant committed the offenses in Ado-Ekiti.
Adeniyi told the court that Mrs Esther met the complainant, Ajayi Oluwabusuyi, and lied to him that she was single. He explained that on the pretext of agreeing to marry him, the defendant collected N607, 500 from the complainant in the preparation for their engagement ceremony, which she failed to follow through.
Adeniyi also alleged that Esther falsely presented herself as a teacher at Egiri Oke Comprehensive School in Iyin-Ekiti, Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government area of Ekiti State.
He said the defendant conducted herself in a manner likely to cause the breach of peace. According to him, the offences contravene Sections 186, 393 and 181(1)(d) of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021.
The prosecutor asked the court for an adjournment to enable him to study the case file and assemble his witnesses.
When the charges were read to her, Ms Esther pleaded not guilty. Her lawyer, Mrs Joy Raphael, urged the court to grant her bail, with a promise that she would not jump bail.
The Chief Magistrate, Dolamu Babalogbon, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N50,000 with one surety in like sum and adjourned the case until March 5 for a hearing.