The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Yusuf Ademola Oyepeju before the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan over an alleged property fraud involving N13,697,900.
Oyepeju was arraigned alongside two companies, Alwajeez International Nigeria Limited and AIN Homes and Property Limited, on a six-count charge bordering on forgery, uttering of documents, stealing by conversion and obtaining money under false pretence.
The EFCC’s Ibadan Zonal Directorate brought the case before Justice Olusola Adetujoye. According to the commission, the alleged offences relate to transactions involving Fasasi Amidu Bayonle, an Islamic cleric and Dubai-based Nigerian.
The EFCC said Oyepeju met Bayonle through a WhatsApp group created for Muslims and the propagation of Islamic teachings, where both men reportedly served as tutors.
According to the prosecution, Bayonle initially allowed Oyepeju to temporarily occupy one of his houses in Ibadan while he sought accommodation for himself and his newly married wife.
The EFCC alleged that Oyepeju later presented himself as a property developer and persuaded Bayonle to provide money for the purchase of land and construction of another house.
Bayonle allegedly transferred N8,697,900 to Oyepeju for the proposed property project. However, the EFCC claimed that instead of using the money for the intended purpose, Oyepeju converted it to his personal use.
The commission also alleged that Oyepeju forged a Transfer of Agreement document relating to the property and sold a house entrusted to him for temporary use to companies allegedly linked to him.
One of the counts specifically accused Oyepeju and the two companies of converting N8,697,900 belonging to Bayonle to their personal use between February and August 2020.
When the six charges were read to him in court, Oyepeju pleaded not guilty.
Following his plea, EFCC counsel Sanusi Galadanchi asked the court to adjourn the case for trial and requested that the defendant be remanded in a correctional facility.
Defence counsel, however, informed the court that a bail application had been filed and urged the judge to admit Oyepeju to bail pending the determination of the case.
Justice Adetujoye subsequently adjourned the matter for the hearing of the bail application and ordered that Oyepeju be remanded at the Agodi Correctional Centre pending further proceedings.
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