A 40-year-old butcher, Bashiru Gboyega, was arraigned on Monday, May 26, 2025, before an Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan, Oyo State, on charges of fraud and theft, following allegations that he defrauded a cattle merchant of five cows valued at N3.7 million.
According to the police prosecution led by Olapeju Durodola, the defendant was accused of dishonestly obtaining the livestock under false pretenses. The incident reportedly occurred on December 22, 2024, at around 3:30 p.m., at the popular Kara Market, a known livestock trading hub in Ibadan.
Durodola told the court that the complainant, Tijani Jamare, entrusted the five cows to the defendant with the understanding that Gboyega would sell the animals on Jamare’s behalf and subsequently remit the proceeds.
However, after allegedly selling the cows, Gboyega failed to return the money or account for the sales, leading the merchant to report the matter to the authorities.
Following investigations, the police charged Gboyega with two counts: fraud and theft, both of which are considered serious offences under the Nigerian Criminal Code. Despite the gravity of the accusations, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges during his arraignment.
Presiding over the case, Chief Magistrate Mrs. Olabisi Ogunkanmi, granted Gboyega bail in the sum of N750,000, with the condition that he must produce two sureties who would each provide the same amount. The magistrate further stipulated that the sureties must be reliable and provide evidence of means to ensure their credibility.
The court subsequently adjourned the matter to August 7, 2025, for the commencement of substantive hearing, allowing time for the prosecution to present its witnesses and evidence, and for the defense to prepare its case.
The incident has raised concerns about trust within the local cattle trade sector, where informal agreements and cash transactions are common. Stakeholders in the Kara livestock market have reportedly called for more transparency and documentation in business dealings to prevent similar occurrences.
If convicted, Gboyega could face a significant prison sentence, depending on the court’s findings and the specific sections of the law applied.