Married Woman Arraigned For Defrauding A Suitor Of N607,500

A married woman, 31, Ajayi Esther, has been arraigned before an Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrates’ Court on February 4 for allegedly defrauding a suitor of N607,500. Esther is facing a three-count charge of fraud, impersonation, and breach of peace.

According to the prosecutor, Insp Sodiq Adeniyi, Esther met the complainant, Ajayi Oluwabusuyi, and falsely claimed to be single. She allegedly collected N607,500 from him on the pretext of agreeing to marry him, but failed to follow through with the engagement ceremony.

Esther also allegedly impersonated a teacher at Egiri Oke Comprehensive school in Iyin-Ekiti, and conducted herself in a manner likely to cause a breach of peace. The offences allegedly contravene Sections 186, 393 and 181(1)(d) of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021.

The prosecutor requested an adjournment to study the case file and assemble witnesses. Esther pleaded not guilty to the charges, and her lawyer, Mrs Joy Raphael, urged the court to grant her bail. Chief Magistrate Dolamu Babalogbon granted Esther bail in the sum of N50,000 with one surety in like sum and adjourned the case until March 5 for hearing.