A bricklayer, Banji Aladeye, on Thursday appeared before an Okitipupa Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ondo State for allegedly stealing 25 bags of cement worth N105, 000.

The defendant, whose residential address was not given, is facing a two-count charge of felony and stealing.

Police prosecutor, ASP Zedekiah Orogbemi, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on July 27 at about 6:30 p.m. at an ongoing building project on Okitipupa-Igodan road in Okitipupa.

Mr Orogbemi said that the defendant who was employed to work at the building project belonging to the complainant, Bose Adeyelu, could not explain how 25 bags of cement were missing.

He said that the offences contravened sections 516 and 390 (9), Criminal Code, Cap.37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State, 2006.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Chief Magistrate Chris Ojuola granted the defendant bail in the sum of N100,000 with one surety in like sum.

He added that the surety must reside within the court jurisdiction and present evidence of two years’ tax payment to the state government.

He adjourned the case until August 16, for further hearing. 

(NAN)