A 43-year old cleric, ‘Pastor’ Paul Oyewole, went into hiding, secretly printed and posted his own obituary on social media, in order to evade payment of N3m owed his church member, Boyede Emmanuel.
It was gathered that the incident happened along Valentino area, Ondo town, Ondo State, where ‘Pastor’ Oyewole runs a church.
When it was time to refund the money to Emmanuel, the Pastor was unable to do so. He then sent fake bank alert to Emmanuel, went into hiding, secretly printed his obituary and posted it on the social media to evade the debt.
However, information later leaked that the ‘Pastor’, Oyewole, was still alive and Emmamuel trailed him. He was eventually arrested and charged before the Ondo Chief Magistrates Court for fraud.
‘Pastor’ Oyewole is facing the charge for fraudulently obtaining N3m from Boyede Emmanuel under the pretence to pay back the said money within seven days, which he reneged.
The Prosecutor, Akao Moremi, informed the Court that the defendant falsely posted his obituary on WhatsApp after he had sent a fake alert to UBA account No. 2140338283, knowing fully that he did not have such an amount in his bank account.
The prosecutor further alleged that the defendant threatened the complainant on phone, with the intent to intimidate him and also conducted himself in a manner likely to cause a breach of the peace by stripping himself naked in front of the complainant’s house.
He explained that he committed the offence sometime between November 25, 2021 and 2022, contrary to and punishable under Sections 419, 86, and 125A(1) of the Criminal Code, Cap 37, Volume 1, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.
However, Pastor Oyewole pleaded not guilty.
Moremi, who told the Court that he would call four witnesses to testify in the case, applied for a date to enable him study the case file.
The counsel to the defendant, Queen Arokoyo, applied for bail for her client in the most liberal terms and promised the Court that he would not jump bail.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mosunmola Ikujuni, therefore granted the defendant N1 million bail with two credible sureties each in like sum.
Ikujuni, said one of the sureties must be a house owner residing within the jurisdiction, while the original and photocopy of the Identification card must be attached.
The matter was adjourned till 13th February, 2023, for a hearing while he was remanded in custody pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.
