A 36-year-old rice seller, Olorode Hammed, was on Wednesday arraigned in an Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court, Ibadan, Oyo State, for allegedly defrauding customers of N16.1 million.

Hammed is facing trial on a 12 count-charge bordering on obtaining money under false pretence, shop breaking and stealing.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The prosecutor, Sergeant Samuel Owolabi, told the court that Hammed committed the offences sometime in July within the Ibadan metropolis.

Mr Owolabi alleged that the defendant collected the sum of N2 million from one Akeem Hassan, N3.6 million from one Morufu Mufutau, N8.5 million from one Abiola Bashir and many others, with the pretext of supplying bags of rice and beans to them.

He alleged that the defendant, who promised to buy the goods for the customers from the North, failed to do so and converted the money to his personal use.

Mr Owolabi alleged that the defendant also broke into the shop of one Opeyemi Saheed and stole 30 bags of rice worth N1.9 million all money totalling N16.1 million.

He said the offences contravened Sections 419, 414 and 390(9) of the Criminal Laws of Oyo State, 2000.

The Magistrate, Gladys Oladele, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N5 million and two sureties in like sum.

Mrs Oladele held that one of the sureties must be a blood relation to the defendant and adjourned the case until December 8 for hearing.

(NAN)