An Akure Magistrate Court has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of a former Ondo state deputy governor, Agboola Ajayi.

The court ordered Agboola to be produced in the court or his statement on November 24, over allegation of stealing.

Agboola was accused of obtaining a brand new Toyota Camry worth N5.4m by false pretence and stealing in May, 2018.

The Commissioner of Police had applied for a bench warrant to compel Agboola to appear before the court over the allegation.

However, two former aides of Agboola, Ogunmusi Samuel and Akintoye Olatunji, were arraigned before the court over the car Agboola was accused of stealing from one Segun Adetuwo popularly known as Showboy.

Ogunmusi had claimed in his statement that Agboola instructed him to take Akintoye to Adetuwo to collect the car.

He said he collected a black colour Toyota Camry XLE from Adetuwo and left without paying for the car.

The prosecutor, Emmanuel Tanimowo, informed the court that Agboola did not responded to invitation to state his side of the incident.

The charge no: MA/C/2/26/C 2023 reads inter alia: “That you Akintoye Olatunji, Ogunmusi Samuel, and others now at large sometimes in the month of May 2018 at Automart Akure in the Akure magisterial district did conspire with yourselves to commit felony to wit: obtaining by false pretence and stealing and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 516 of the criminal code cap 37, vol 1 Lawsof Ondo State of Nigeria 2006.

“That you Akintoye Olatunji, Ogunmusi Samuel and other now at large sometimes in the .on the month of May, 2018 at Automart Akure in the Akure magisterial district did by false pretence and with intent to defraud obtains one brand new Black Toyota Camry XLE valued Five Million, Four Hundred Thousand Thousand Naira (N5,400,000) only property of one Segun Adetuwo and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 1(1) (a)(c) and punishable under section 1(3) of the advance fee fraud and other fraud related offences Act, laws of the federation of Nigeria 2006.

“That you Akintoye Olatunji, Ogunmusi Samuel and other now at large on same date, and place in the aforementioned magisterial district did fraudulently convert one Toyota Camry XLE valued Five Million, Four Hundred Thousand Naira(N5,400,000) property of one Segun Adetuwo to your own and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 383, and punishable under section 390(9) of the criminal code cap 37. Vol. 1laws of Ondo State of Nigeria 2006.”

Counsel to Akintoye, Barrister Omolegbon Odunsola, said he has been making efforts to reach out to Agboola and Adetuwo to see how the issue could be settled out of court.

But Counsel to Adetuwo, Alex Olademehin, said Agboola argued that Agboola should either go to the Police and give his written statement or appear in court in person.

Presiding Magistrate Taiwo Lebi, ordered that Agboola or his statement be produced in court at the next adjournment date.

He adjourned further hearing till November 24, 2023. (The Nation)

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