Two farmers, Samson Adeleye and Emmanuel Okechukwu, appeared before an Okitipupa Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ondo State on Thursday for allegedly stealing palm fruits worth N13 million.
The defendants, Adeleye, 40, and Okechukwu, 37, whose addresses were not provided, are facing a two-count charge of felony and stealing.
The Police Prosecutor, ASP Zedekiah Orogbemi, told the court that the defendants and others still at large committed the offences on Jan. 29 and Jan. 31 at 4:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., respectively, at Omotosho-Ode Aye in the Okitipupa Magisterial District.
Orogbemi said the defendants and others still at large carted away N13 million worth of fresh palm oil fruits from an oil plantation at Omotosho and Ode-Aye, owned by Okitipupa Oil Palm Plc.
The prosecutor stated that the offences contravened Sections 516 and 390 (9), Criminal Code, Cap.37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State, 2006.
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them.
The Chief Magistrate, Mr Olanrewaju Adelegan, granted both defendants bail in the sum of N200, 000 each with a surety each in like sum.
He added that the sureties, who must reside within the court’s jurisdiction, must present evidence of two years’ tax payment made to the state government.
He adjourned the case until March 27 for further hearing.
