Travel agent arraigned for defrauding Nigerian Pilgrims

Admin l Friday, July 01, 2022

 

LAGOS, Nigeria –  A  travel agent, Sharafadeen Irorun was on Thursday, arraigned  before an Ikeja High Court  for allegedly defrauding  some intending pilgrims  to the tune of  N24.6 million.

Irorun is facing a 12-count-charge of stealing and obtaining money under false pretences. He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

According to prosecution counsel, Mr  Olawale Ijabike, the defendant and others still at large fraudulently  obtained the sum from some intending pilgrims with an assurance to prepare them to travel for  the 2014 Hajj in Saudi Arabia.

One of the complainants, Mr Lukman Abdulkareem, told the court during proceedings  that his name was removed from the list of complainants.

“My lord, I am the direct complainant in this matter but I do not know why my  name is not mentioned in the charge sheet, ” Abdulkareem said. The prosecution counsel, however, told the court that he had a discussion with the complainant and would effect the change on the charge sheet.

Defence counsel, Mr Akinwole Kuye, informed the court that a bail  application for the defendant and an affidavit in support of the application were before the court. Kuye said that the application was dated May 25.

The prosecution counsel told the court that he had filed a counter-affidavit. Justice Oyindamola Ogala adjourned the case until July 7 for hearing of the bail application.