By Deborah Nnamdi
A 31-year-old woman, Ajayi Esther, on Tuesday, appeared before an Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly refusing to marry a suitor after collecting the sum of N607,500 from him.
The defendant, of no fixed address, is standing trial on a three-count charge of fraud, impersonation, and breach of peace.
The prosecutor, Insp Sodiq Adeniyi, told the court that the defendant committed the offenses on Feb. 1 at about 10:00a.m in Ado-Ekiti.
Adeniyi said that the defendant, a married woman, met the complainant, Mr 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 preparation for their engagement ceremony, which she failed to follow through.
Adeniyi also alleged that the defendant 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 offenses contravene Sections 186, 393, and 181(1)(d) of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against her.
Counsel to the defendant, Mrs Joy Raphael, urged the court to grant the defendant 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.She adjourned the case until March 5 for a hearing.
