For allegedly defrauding a businessman of N1.2 million over SUBEB contracts, the President of Kwara State Indigenous Contractors and Suppliers, Alhaji Mashood Aigoro has been arraigned before an Ilorin Chief Magistrate Court.
Aigoro of No. 1, Kano Road, Adewole Housing Estate, Adewole, Ilorin, was on Monday dragged before the court on a three-count charge of cheating, criminal force and grevious hurt.
Trouble began for the defendant when one Alhaji Abdulrasaq Mohammed of No. 161, Ibrahim Taiwo Road, Ilorin, alleged that the defendant deceitfully collected money from him under the pretext of securing him contract from SUBEB.
According to the complainant, the defendant introduced himself to him as the President of Kwara State Indigenous Contractors and Suppliers and that the Governor of Kwara State mandated him to give people contracts.
The complainant stated that, after he was induced and showed interest, the defendant demanded for his Identity Card and a registration fee of N20,000.
He said further that, the defendant told him that he has secured a contract for him and he should look for a person who has Tender under SUBEB, which he secured two people.
The defendant was said to have given the victim four contracts in which he (victim) paid a sum of N1,200,000 for three contracts out of the said four contracts he secured for the him.
According to the charge sheet, “the said Mashood Aigoro later gave the victim papers for the three contracts. On getting to SUBEB to verify, it was discovered that the whole deals were fraudulent, as the contracts were not given to Mashood Aigoro.
“The victim tried all his efforts to get back his money, instead the said Mashood Aigoro continue to harass, intimidate and threaten the victim’s life”, the charge stated.
The victim added that he reported the matter to the police and on getting to the defendant’s house at Adewole, Ilorin, and when he sighted the victim, he hit him mercilessly by inflicting wounds on him.
The defendant allegedly said that the police cannot do anything to him because of his relationship with Adewole Division DPO.
Hence, the victim urged the court to do justice in the matter.
The alleged offences contravene Sections 322, 265 and 247 of Penal Code Law.
The defendant had pleaded not guilty to the offences, which made his counsel prayed the court to release him on bail pending the determination of the matter.
The presiding Judge, Chief Magistrate I.O. Lawal released the defendant on bail at the sum of N50,000 and a surety in like sum.
The court adjourned the case till December 6 for continuation of hearing.