The police on Friday arraigned a 33-year-old bricklayer, Ifeoluwa Owookade, before the Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan, Oyo State, for allegedly stealing blocks and a cell phone.

Mr Owookade is being tried on charges of conspiracy and theft, to which he pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Insp Elisha Tellang, told the court that the defendant committed the offences sometime in January in Apete, Ibadan.

He alleged that the defendant conspired with others at large and stole a cell phone valued at N190,000 belonging to one Taye Domnu.

Mr Tellang alleged that the defendant also stole 25 blocks from a block industry belonging to one Abiola Moshood and 100 blocks worth N100,000 belonging to one Kanisuru Alamu.

The prosecutor further alleged that the defendant stole the blocks for use in construction work for other clients.

He said the offences contravened Sections 390(9) and 516 of the Criminal Laws of Oyo State, 2000.

The magistrate, Moyosore Atanda, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N200,000 with two reliable sureties in a like sum.

She adjourned the case until April 2 for a hearing.

(NAN)