On Thursday, a student, a scavenger, and a trader appeared before the Okitipupa Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ondo for the alleged theft of property worth N2.2 million.

The three men, Joseph Ayomide, 22; Moloney Adamu, 20; and Mercy Aminu, 25, whose addresses were not given, face a three-count conspiracy charge of stealing and receiving stolen property.

They, however, pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, ASP Zedekiah Orogbemi, told the court that the defendants and one person at large committed the offences on October 24, 2023, at about 7:400 p.m. on Mama Nigeria Street, Ayeka, Okitipupa.

Mr Orogbemi said the first and second defendants (Messr Ayomide and Adamu) stole one ST Lister diesel engine worth N1.6 million, a digester machine valued at N250,000, a cassava cracker worth N70,000 and an iron broiler machine worth N300,000.

He said that the property belonged to a man, Omolafe Ololagbose.

Mr Orogbemi said the third defendant (Ms Aminu) received the ST Lister engine, knowing it was stolen.

The chief magistrate, Cletus Ojuola, granted the first and second defendants bail of N200,000 each and two sureties each in like sum.

Mr Ojuola granted the third defendant bail of N150,000 and a surety in like sum.

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

He adjourned the case until May 10 for a hearing. 

(NAN)