The police, on Wednesday, arraigned a 28-year-old man, Enefewa Blessing, before a chief magistrates’ court in Ado-Ekiti for allegedly stealing a cell phone and palm oil.

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

The prosecutor, Sodiq Adeniyi, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on October 5 at about 08:00 a.m. behind Irewolede Estate in Ado-Ekiti.

Mr Adeniyi said the defendant stole one Infinix Smart 6 phone valued at N63,000, belonging to one Omojero Patience.

He also said the defendant, on October 5 in the Odo-Ado area of Ado-Ekiti, stole seven gallons of palm oil, valued at N175,000, belonging to Mary Samuel, Patience Moko and Mary Enigboro.

The prosecutor said the defendant had confessed to stealing the items and using the proceeds to buy a motorcycle.

According to him, the offences contravene sections 301(1), Cap. 28, Vol. 1, Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021.

He urged the court to adjourn the case to enable him to study the file and assemble his witnesses.

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

Counsel to the defendant, Olawumi Olowolafe, urged the court to grant his client bail with a promise that he would not jump bail.

In her ruling, the chief magistrate, Franca Olaiya, granted the defendant N50,000 bail with one surety in like sum.

She, thereafter, adjourned the case for a hearing until January 12, 2023. 

(NAN)