A chief magistrates’ court sitting at Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, on Wednesday, remanded one Mubarak Ajadi, 18, in Agodi Correctional Centre for allegedly breaking into some shops and stealing N20,000.

Ajadi pleaded not guilty when the five-count charge of breaking in, malicious damage, stealing and escape from lawful custody, were read to him.

The defendant, who was unable to meet the terms of the N100,000 bail, was later remanded in custody.

The Magistrate, O.O. Latunji had admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N100,000 with two reliable sureties in like sum.

Mrs Latunji said that the two sureties must be blood relations.

She subsequently adjourned the case until July 3 for hearing.

Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel, Inspector Oluseye Akinola, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on June 10, at 1:30 a.m., at Iyemetu-Aladorin, opposite Floreb Hotel, Ibadan, Oyo State.

Mr Akinola said that Ajadi broke into the shops of three traders: Funke Adeniji, Iyabo Olatunji and Omobolanle Folorunso.

According to the prosecutor, the defendant stole a cash sum of N20,000 from the shop of Olatunji and damaged the sealing of Folorunso’s shop before gaining access into it.

He said that the total cost of the damaged ceiling was N20,000.

Mr Akinola said that the defendant was eventually caught by members of the vigilance group guarding the shops.

The prosecutor also stated that the defendant escaped from lawful custody by jumping over the fence of Iyemetu’s police station while he was still being interrogated.

He said that the offences contravened the provisions of Section 412, 390 (9) 356 and 42 of the Criminal Code, Cap 38, Vol. ii Law of Oyo State ,2000.

(NAN)