The police have dragged a 35-year-old man before the Grade A Customary Court in Mapo, Ibadan, for allegedly stealing building materials worth N900,000.

The defendant, Aliyu Mohammed, was arraigned on a four-count charge of conspiracy, break-in, malicious damage, and stealing.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The magistrate, S.M. Akintayo, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500,000, with two reliable sureties in like sum.

The court added that each of the sureties must show evidence of ownership of landed property, as well as evidence of tax payment to the Oyo State government.

The court adjourned the case until April 1 for a hearing.

The prosecutor, Ayodele Ayeni, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on February 2 in the Soka area of Ibadan, Oyo State.

Mr Ayeni further alleged that Mr Mohammed, along with others now at large, broke into the house of one Bamidele Oluwole to steal cables, bags of cement, roofing sheets, and a bicycle after damaging some electrical installations and the POP of the house.

The prosecutor alleged that the value of all the stolen materials and damaged property was worth N900,000.

The offences contravene the provisions of sections 249, 411, 451, and 516 of the Criminal Law of Oyo State 2000. 

(NAN)