Oyo AG Takes Over High-Profile N34.25 Million Fraud Case

IBADAN, OYO STATE – The Oyo State Ministry of Justice has officially taken over the prosecution of Mrs. Ajayi Oluwabukola, a woman accused of defrauding Sunshine International School, Ibadan, of N34.25 million. The move signals a heightened commitment by the state to ensure justice in the high-profile case.

The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) in the Attorney General’s office, Oyo State, applied for the takeover, with state counsel Q.C. Abraham presenting the application last Wednesday at Magistrate’s Court 2, Iyaganku, Ibadan, presided over by Magistrate Moruf Mudashiru. The application specifically requests the police prosecutor to hand over the original case file to the DPP, ensuring a seamless transition of the case.

Mrs. Ajayi Oluwabukola was notably absent from the recent court sitting. Her defense counsel, Barrister A.T. Lamidi, standing in for Barrister S.B. Ajibola, had previously informed the court that Mrs. Oluwabukola was indisposed and undergoing medical care.

Magistrate Mudashiru adjourned the case until September 17, 2025.

Background of the Allegations
Mrs. Oluwabukola was initially arraigned on December 30, 2024, before Magistrate’s Court 2 on a three-count charge encompassing conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence, and stealing.

According to court documents, Count 1 alleges that Ajayi Oluwabukola and others at large conspired to commit felony by obtaining money by false pretence and stealing on September 4, 2024, at NTC Road Area, Ibadan. This is contrary to and punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code Cap 38 Vol. II Laws of Oyo State, Nigeria 2000.

Count 3 further states that Ajayi Oluwabukola and others at large stole the sum of N34,250,000.00 from Sunshine International School on the same date and location, an offense contrary to Section 383 and punishable under Section 390(9) of the Criminal Code Cap 38 Vol.II Laws of Oyo State, Nigeria 2000.

The Alleged Fraudulent Scheme
Investigations revealed that Mrs. Oluwabukola, a parent with a child at Sunshine International School, allegedly initiated contact with the school proprietress, Princess Taiwo Williams, on September 4, 2024. She reportedly requested a N200,000 loan for a trip to China. Days later, she allegedly informed the proprietress that she was in China and could procure items for the school’s end-of-year party.

The school reportedly transferred the requested funds, but the goods were never delivered. It was subsequently discovered that Mrs. Oluwabukola was allegedly a serial fraudster with a history of similar schemes.

Following her arraignment in December 2024, she was granted bail but remained at Agodi Correctional Centre for some days before perfecting her bail conditions.

Further Complications and Prior Cases
Adding another layer of complexity to the case, it was learned that after her release, Mrs. Oluwabukola’s daughter, a student of Sunshine International School, petitioned Governor Seyi Makinde through the Ministry of Education, and the Nigeria Police Technical Intelligence Response Unit, Zone XI headquarters, Osogbo, Osun State. These petitions alleged bullying, molestation, and harassment by the school proprietress. Officials from the Ministry of Education reportedly investigated the claims, and the proprietress and some school staff were invited for interrogation in Osogbo on May 8.

This is not Mrs. Oluwabukola’s first encounter with the law regarding alleged fraud. In February 2024, she was arraigned by the Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before Justice Kamorudeen Babatunde Olawoyin of an Oyo State High Court. This prior case involved allegations of obtaining N58.458 million from various victims by false pretence.

Among the four-count charges from the EFCC case, one stated that on or about April 9, 2021, at Ibadan, Mrs. Oluwabukola allegedly defrauded Alhaji Yusuf Nadabo of N23,183,000.00 under the false pretense of supplying carbonated soft drinks.

ADVERTISEMENT

Another charge detailed an alleged fraud of N17,375,000.00 from Altine Musa on June 5, 2021, for a similar false representation of supplying soft drinks.
During that arraignment, the prosecution counsel, Sanusi Musa Galandachi, opposed her bail, citing her as a flight risk and noting that she had previously jumped administrative bail granted by the EFCC.He also mentioned that the EFCC had received several other petitions against her. Justice Olawoyin ultimately denied her bail and ordered her remanded in EFCC detention facility for the hearing and determination of the case.

The takeover by the Oyo State Attorney General’s office in the Sunshine International School case underscores the seriousness with which the state views these allegations and its commitment to pursuing justice.