A 31-year-old woman, Ajayi Esther, has been arraigned in an Ado-Ekiti court for allegedly deceiving a suitor by claiming to be single and collecting N607,500 before refusing to marry him. She faces charges of fraud, impersonation, and breach of peace. The court granted her bail; trial continues March 5.
A 31-year-old woman, Ajayi Esther, was arraigned before an Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrates’ Court on February 4 for allegedly deceiving a suitor into believing she was single and accepting N607,500 before refusing to proceed with their engagement.
Prosecutor Insp. Sodiq Adeniyi stated that the complainant, Ajayi Oluwabusuyi, had given Esther the money in preparation for their marriage. However, after receiving the funds, she allegedly failed to uphold her end of the agreement.
Further allegations revealed that Esther had falsely claimed to be a teacher at Egiri Oke Comprehensive School in Iyin-Ekiti, Ekiti State. She was charged with fraud, impersonation, and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace, violating Sections 186, 393, and 181(1)(d) of the Ekiti State Criminal Law, 2021.
During the court session, Esther pleaded not guilty to the charges. Her defense counsel, Mrs. Joy Raphael, appealed for bail, assuring the court that the defendant would not abscond.
Chief Magistrate Dolamu Babalogbon granted Esther bail set at N50,000 with one surety in a similar sum. The case was adjourned to March 5 for further hearing.
