Three men, Olaniran Okuniga, 40, Oluwaseun Adefunwa, 24 and Owolabi Ajishe, 22, on Wednesday appeared before an Okitipupa Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ondo State, over alleged burglary and stealing of property worth N15 million.

The defendants, a civil servant, barber and tailor respectively, whose addresses were not given, are facing a three-count charge bordering on felony, burglary and stealing

The Police prosecutor, Inspector Ayodeji Omoyeigha, told the court that the defendants and others still at large, on January 16, around 8:00 p.m., at Ogo-Oluwa Street, Okitipupa, in Okitipupa magisterial district, conspired to commit felony.

Mr Omoyeigha said that defendants and others at large broke into the dwelling house of one Omoniyi Oloye with intent to steal.

He said that the defendants and others at large stole electrical wires, electrical appliances, meter board, giant Pasum generator, cooking gas, gas cylinders, four giant OX ceiling fans, rechargeable standing fan, one freezer and upholstery chairs totalling N15 million, property of Oloye.

The prosecutor added that the defendants committed offences contrary to and punishable under Sections 516, 413(1) and 390(9), Criminal Code, Cap.37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State, 2006.

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them.

The Chief Magistrate, Mayowa Olanipekun, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N250,000 each and two sureties each in like sum.

He added that the sureties, who must be residents within the court jurisdiction, must also present evidence of two years tax payment made to the state government.

Mr Olanipekun adjourned the case until June 25, for further hearing.

(NAN)