Security guard docked for allegedly stealing N10m cocoa beans

A security guard, Hamodu Shaibu, 25, on Tuesday, was brought before an Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing N10 million cocoa beans.

The defendant, whose address was not provided, pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to him.

The Prosecutor, Insp Akinwale Oriyomi, told the court that the defendant and others at large committed the offence sometime between March and Oct. 14, in Ilumoba-Ekiti.

Oriyomi alleged that Shaibu stole the cocoa beans valued at N10 million belonging to Mr Olubodun Arinde, a cocoa merchant.

The prosecutor said that the defendant, who was a security guard at the cocoa warehouse, had been tampering with the cocoa beans, until he was eventually caught.

According to him, the offence contravened Section 302(1) (a) of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021.

He urged the court to adjourn the case to enable him study the file and assemble his witnesses.

Defence Counsel, Mr Ademola Richard, urged the court to grant the defendant bail, with a promise that he would not jump bail.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr Abayomi Adeosun, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N1.5 million with two sureties in like sum.

He adjourned the case till Nov. 19 for hearing.