Ukanwa Ikechukwu, a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) serving in Oyo State, was brought before an Iyaganku Magistrate’s Court for allegedly defrauding a police officer of N235,000.
The police charged the defendant with false pretence and theft, even though Ukanwa pleaded not guilty. The Prosecution Counsel, Insp Olufemi Omilana, told the court on Friday that on December 4, 2022, around noon, Ukenwa allegedly obtained N235,000 from ACP Modupe Okpaleke with the intention to defraud. Ukenwa, who studied physiotherapy and was attached to the Police Cottage Hospital, Eleyele, Ibadan, collected the money from Okpaleke and dishonestly converted it to his own use. The police alleged that the NYSC member had recommended that Okpaleke buy a bicycle when she sought medical solutions to her leg problem at the hospital. The offence, according to Omilana, violates the provisions of sections 390 (9) and 419 of the Criminal Code Laws of Oyo State 2000. Magistrate M. I. Giwa-Babalola granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the matter till May 25 for a hearing.
