A 31-year-old married woman, Ajayi Esther, appeared before Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 4th February, accused of refusing to marry a suitor despite accepting N607,500 from him.
Mrs Esther is facing trial on three counts: fraud, impersonation, and breach of the peace. During the hearing, the prosecutor, Inspector Sodiq Adeniyi, told the court that the defendant committed the offences in Ado-Ekiti.
Inspector Adeniyi explained to the court that Mrs Esther met the complainant, Ajayi Oluwabusuyi, and falsely claimed to be single. Under the pretence of agreeing to marry him, she accepted N607,500 from him for their engagement ceremony, which she failed to attend.
Inspector Adeniyi also alleged that Mrs Esther falsely presented herself as a teacher at Egiri Oke Comprehensive School in Iyin-Ekiti, Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area of Ekiti State.
He stated that the defendant’s conduct was likely to cause a breach of the peace. He added that the offences contravene Sections 186, 393, and 181(1)(d) of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021.
The prosecutor requested an adjournment to allow him to review the case file and 1 gather his witnesses.
Ms Esther pleaded not guilty to the charges. Her lawyer, Mrs Joy Raphael, asked the court to grant her bail, assuring them that she would not abscond.
The Chief Magistrate, Dolamu Babalogbon, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N50,000, with one surety in the same amount, and adjourned the case until 5th March for a hearing.
