By Bartholomew Madukwe
LAGOS—Two suspected fraudsters, Mr. Jamiu Adeyemi and Mr. Kayode Oseni, have been arraigned before an Ejigbo Magistrate Court, Lagos, for allegedly using a live python to defraud one Alhaji Jelili Kuku of N40,000.

The python, when it was tendered as exhibit by the Investigating Police Officer, IPO, caused disorder in the court. When it was brought out, lawyers and other litigants panicked.

Prosecutor informed the court that they were tired of keeping the snake since the arrest of the suspects last Saturday.

The prosecutor, Oladejo Balogun, asked the court to order the police to return the live python to the court’s custody till the next adjourned date, adding that the prosecutor has no accommodation for the snake and does not know the type of food the snake eats.

Adeyemi and Oseni are facing a two-count charge of fraud and stealing, contrary to and punishable under Sections 419 and 390 of the Criminal Code Cap 17 Vol. 2 Laws of Lagos State, 2003.

It was gathered that the accused persons had hid the live python in Alhaji Kuku house at Ikotun, Lagos, and allegedly collected N40,000 from the Kuku to purchase a ram for sacrifice for Kuku’s life to be safe.

The suspects were said to have told their victim that his sufferings was as a result of an evil supernatural being inside his house. After their arrest, Adeyemi and Oseni allegedly told the police that they planted it to swindle Kuku.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge brought against them. The court ordered that the live python be returned to the police exhibit room till the next adjourned date.

Trial Magistrate, Mrs. M. Folami, admitted them to bail in the sum of N500,000 each with two sureties each in like sum, while the matter was adjourned till March 14.

http://naija-online.com/2012/02/2-docked-for-defrauding-with-python/