The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a 48-year old businessman Yinusa Adebisi, owner of Taiken Filling Station, before an Oyo State High Court, sitting in Ibadan on a 6-count charge bordering on obtaining goods under false pretence. The accused is alleged to have fraudulently obtained 33,000 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene, DPK valued at Five Million One Hundred and Fifteen Thousand naira (N5, 115,000) from one Miss Titilayo Onasanya of Kalhari Limited.
When he was docked this morning before Justice O. A. Boade, the accused told the court that he would like the charges to be read to him in Yoruba Language. The Court Clerk read the 6-count charge in Yoruba Language and the accused person pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Prosecution counsel, Zainab Ettu thereafter urged the court to remand the accused person in prison custody, pending the determination of the bail application. The defense counsel, F.A. Bello did not object Justice Boade then ordered that the accused be remanded in prison custody and adjourned the matter till May 11, 2012.
The journey to Agodi Prison began for Adebisi in July 5, 2011, when the EFCC received a petition alleging that Taiken Filling Station, Iseyin, Oyo State placed order for 33,000 litres of DPK (Kerosene) from Kalhari Limited. It was agreed that payment shall be effected through a draft in favour of Kalhari limited on full delivery. On July 22nd 2010, the product was delivered at about 6pm. Adebisi who claims to be the real owner of the filling station, confirmed that he and his partners Zacheus Adeojo and David Oyelere ( both at large) placed the order.
Adebisi told Miss Titilola Onasanya who accompanied the product from Lagos that he could not pay on that the bank had closed. He promised to make the payment the next day. Adebisi and his friends signed for and received the DPK and stated in writing on the waybill that payment would be made the next day by draft. When Miss Onasanya returned to Taiken Filling Station the following day, the accused (Adebisi) told her that he could not pay.
In his statement, Adebisi claimed not to be the real owner of the filling station that the Station belongs to one Mr. Oguntude who lives and works in Port Harcourt . He said he only took the station on lease and that the product in question was ordered by Zacheus and David, who approached him for use of his storage facility at a fee.
