Six individuals have been arraigned before a Magistrate Court in Ado-Ekiti for allegedly defrauding taxpayers of approximately N1.8 million.

The defendants, Olarewaju Adesoye, Mayowa Nelson Ajisafe, Matthew Ilesanmi Olarenwaju, Olorunfemi Osho, Joseph Sunday Balogun, and Ajayi Temidayo, were arrested by the State Security Services (SSS) for alleged possession of fraudulent documents, forgery, using false documents and counterfeit seals, and impersonation.

The prosecutor, Mr. Olaolu Olayinka, legal officer of the SSS, presented the charges against the defendants. He accused them of conspiring to commit fraud by obtaining money under false pretenses between October and November in Ado-Ekiti.

The defendants are accused of defrauding individuals like Olumide Damilola, Ayeni Rachael Fummilayo, Fakunle Olasunkanmi Olatunbosun, and Ogidi Kayode Emmanuel of a total of N1,795,000.

They are further accused of possessing fake tax clearance certificates of the Ekiti State Internal Revenue Service, forging the signature of the agency’s Executive Chairman, Mr. Olaniran Olatona, fraudulently using a counterfeit seal, and falsely representing themselves as staff of the Revenue Service with the intent to defraud.

The offenses are punishable under various sections of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State 2021.

While all six defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges, their counsel, Mr. Timi Omotoso, argued for bail on their behalf, citing their integrity and willingness to provide credible sureties.

Magistrate Ojo Adeosun granted bail to the defendants at N500,000 each, with one surety for every two defendants (a total of three sureties for the six accused). The sureties must possess landed property in Ado-Ekiti.

The case has been adjourned to Friday, January 26, 2024, for further proceedings.