The Department of State Services, DSS, on Wednesday, arraigned six suspected Internal Revenue Service fraudsters in Ekiti State before a magistrate court sitting in Ado-Ekiti.
This came after the Federal Republic of Nigeria filed a suit against the accused, Olarewaju Adesoye, Mayowa Nelson Ajisafe, Matthew Ilesanmi Olarenwaju, Olorunfemi Osho, Joseph Sunday Balogun, and Ajayi Temidayo, for an alleged false representation of the Internal Revenue Service, IRS, in the state.
Reading out the suit, the court noted the six-count offences of alleged false pretence, possession of fraudulent documents, use of false documents, counterfeit seals, and impersonation.
Defending the accused, who pleaded not guilty to the charges, the defendants’ lawyer, Timi Omotoso, confirmed the charges against them and prayed that the Chief Magistrate, Saka Afunso, grant them bail.
In his ruling, Magistrate Saka Afunso granted the defendants bail of N500,000 each and the provision of sureties.
The magistrate ordered that all sureties must have a reasonable source of income and be residents of Ado-Ekiti. He also warned that they would be held responsible if the accused absconded.
The case was subsequently adjourned until Friday, January 26, 2024.
