Ukanwa Ikechukwu, an Oyo State National Youth Service Corps volunteer, was charged on Friday in an Iyaganku Magistrate’s Court with defrauding a police officer of N235,000.

The defendant was accused of stealing and false pretense by the police.

But the accused entered a not guilty plea to the accusation.

Ukenwa is accused of stealing N235,000 from ACP Modupe Okpaleke on December 4, 2022, about midday, according to the prosecution’s attorney, Insp. Olufemi Omilana, who testified in court.

Omilana said Ukenwa, a physiotherapy student employed at the Police Cottage Hospital in Eleyele, Ibadan, had defrauded Okpaleke by taking N235,000 from him and using it for his personal purposes.

According to the police, ACP Okpaleke met Ukenwa while seeking treatment for a leg ailment at the Police Cottage Hospital in Eleyele, Ibadan. Ukenwa suggested that she get a bicycle.

According to him, the crime violated the terms of sections 390 (9) and 419 of the Criminal Code Laws of Oyo State 2000.

The defendant was released on bail in the amount of N500,000 with two sureties in the same amount, according to Magistrate M. I. Giwa-Babalola.

Giwa-Babalola postponed the matter’s hearing until May 25.