Cultist Posing as Lawyer Arraigned in Osun Court

A 36-year old, Ayotomide Adeniyi, on Tuesday, appeared before an Osogbo Chief Magistrates’ Court, for posing as a lawyer and defrauding unsuspecting residents of the state.

Adeniyi, who was arraigned on six counts bordering on posing as a lawyer, obtaining money under pretence, stealing and membership in an unlawful society, pleaded guilty to the crimes.

The prosecutor, Elisha Olusegun, told the court that the defendant, between January and June 2023 in Osogbo, falsely presented himself as a lawyer to unsuspecting members of the public with the intent to defraud.

Other details of the offences committed by the defendant further read, “That you, AYOTOMIDE ADENIYI ‘M’ on the same date, time, place and in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did, with intent to defraud, unlawfully obtain the sum of thirty thousand naira (N30,000:00k from one Ganiyu Sukurat ‘ under the pretence to appear for her in court as a lawyer.

“That you, AYOTOMIDE ADENIYI ‘M, on the same date, time, place and in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did with intent to defraud, unlawfully obtain the sum of five thousand naira (N5,000:00k) from one Oyinloye Samuel ‘m° under the pretence of assisting him to secure his bail in court.

“That you AYOTOMIDE ADENIYI ‘M’, on the same date, time, place and in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did engage in yourself in an unlawful society known as ALORA Confraternity – a secret cult.”

The offences committed were said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 484 of the Criminal Code Cap 34 Vol. II, Section 419 of the Criminal Code Cap 34 Vol. I, Section 390(9) of the Criminal Code Cap 34 Vol.Il,l and Section 64 of the Criminal Code Cap 34 Vol. Il laws of Osun State ofNigeria,a 2002.

After the defendant, who had no legal representation, had pleaded guilty to all the counts, the presiding magistrate, Dr. Olusegun Ayilara, adjourned the case till July 24 for sentencing.