Land scam: Court jails Osun community leader 12 months

A 50-year-old community leader, Mustapha Nasiru, was yesterday sentenced to 12 months in prison for defrauding a Pastor of C&S Church, N650, 000. The convict, who is the Baale (head) Owode of Osogbo, “Ataoja in Council,” was arraigned on April 20, 2017, on a three-count charge bordering on fraud, stealing and threat to life. The Prosecutor, Mr. Taiwo Adegoke, told the court that the convict committed the off ense sometime in May 2016, at Owode area, Osogbo. He said the convict fraudulently collected the sum of N650,000 from one Pastor Adeyeye Jesutoki of Celestial Church of God with intent to sell two plots of land for him at Owode Area. The prosecution said the convict converted the money to his own and threatened to kill the complainant if he dared ask him again. According to the charge sheet, the offences contravened the provision of Sections 419, 390(9), and 86 of the Criminal Code Cap 34, Volume 11, Laws of Osun, 2003.
The Magistrate, Mrs. Amina Oloyade, agreed that the prosecution had proved the case satisfactorily and thereby convicted Nasiru for fraud and stealing. Counsel to the Convict, Mr. S. O. Popoola, prayed the court to tamper justice with mercy in sentencing his client, saying he was ready to change for good. Magistrate Oloyade, however, sentenced the convict to two years in prison with an option of N20,000 fine.