LAGOS – The trial of four self-acclaimed Muslim clerics charged with N43million fraud was on Thursday stalled at a Federal High Court in Lagos, following the absence of their defence counsel.
The accused –: Jimoh Kadiri, 61; Mohammed Ibrahim, 36; Mohammed Isah, 29; and Ojo Ogunlade, 30; are standing trial on a two-count charge of conspiracy and fraud.
At their arraignment on Aug. 30, 2013, the clerics had pleaded not guilty to the charges against them, and were granted bail by the trial judge.
At the resumed hearing of the case, their counsel, Mr Olalekan Ojo, was absent, which necessitated Justice Okon Abang, to further adjourn the case to Nov. 11, for continuation of trial.
In the charge, the accused were alleged to have obtained the sum of N43.5 million from Mrs Basirat Akinbisehin under the pretext that they were capable of curing her daughter’s ailment.
The representation was said to be false, since the child never recovered from her ill state, in spite of alleged fervent prayers by the accused.
At the last adjourned date in July, Akinbisehin narrated how the accused allegedly swindled her of funds, in the guise of “consulting with the spirits” to heal her sick child.
The offence is said to have contravened the provisions of Sections 1(a) (3) and 8 of the Advanced Fee Fraud Act, 2006. (NAN)
