Outrage as pregnant banker remanded by court gives birth in Osun prison

Public outrage has erupted in Osun State over the prolonged incarceration of Mrs. Awanat Ajayi, a banker held at the Ilesa Correctional Facility.

Ajayi, who worked under First Bank manager Talabi Adeniyi, was arrested in connection with a N650 million Proof of Fund (POF) fraud.

The Osun Police Command had recently disclosed the arrest of Talabi over the massive fraud. Ajayi’s involvement stems from her role in facilitating POF transactions for clients, including Magistrate Oyindamola Daramola, from whom she allegedly collected N10 million. The business deal went awry when Talabi reportedly lost N650 million, leading to Ajayi’s arraignment.

Despite an oral bail request from her lawyer, citing her health issues, including an impending childbirth and Hepatitis B diagnosis, Ajayi was remanded by the Magistrate’s Court.

In August, Judge Olusegun Ayilara granted her bail under strict conditions, requiring a monarch and a level 14 officer as sureties, along with a N5 million deposit.

Magistrate Ayilara told the banker’s husband that giving birth is not a technical reason for discharge, noting that “Your wife’s bail condition has not been perfected, delivery not a technical reason for discharge. This is the law and even me doesn’t have power over it, it is only a higher court that can say otherwise.”