The police on Thursday arraigned a 25-year-old man, Azeez Sodiq, before an Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrates’ court over alleged shop breaking and stealing.

 The defendant, of no fixed address, is standing trial on a two-count charge of shop breaking and stealing.

 The Prosecutor, Inspector Olasunkanmi Bamikole, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on July 18 at about 3 a.m. at Ifesowapo Street, beside Reference Point filling station, Afao Road, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.

Mr Bamikole said that the defendant broke into and entered the dwelling shop of one Adeleke Aderemi.

He said that the defendant stole a welding machine, valued at N50,000, a grander machine, with value yet unknown, a three-feet iron door, valued at N50,000 and a hand-made charcoal pot, valued at N16,000.

He said other items were a cable valued at N55,000, a sledge hammer costing N12,000 and a recession wire, valued at N350,000, all belonging to the complainant.

The prosecutor also said that on August 4, at about 7 a.m., the defendant stole a wheel barrow, valued at N28,500, belonging to one Mrs Adegboye Arike, which he brought to Adeleke Aderemi, a welder, for repair.

 According to him, the offences contravene Section 322 and punishable under Section 322(2) as well as Section 295 and punishable under Section 302(1)(a), Laws of Ekiti State, 2021.

The prosecutor asked the court for an adjournment to enable him to study the case file and present his witnesses.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against him.

The Chief Magistrate, Saka Afunso, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N50,000, with one surety in like sum.

Mr Afunso adjourned the case until August 15 for hearing.

(NAN)