A 42-year-old woman, Bukola Solademi, was arraigned before the Mapo Grade A Customary Court in Ibadan on Friday over an alleged theft of carbonated drinks and bottled water valued at N7.688 million.

Ms Solademi, however, pleaded not guilty to the one-count charge levelled against her.

The court’s president, O.E. Owoseni, admitted the defendant to N500,000 bail, with two reliable sureties in like sum.

Ms Owoseni said the sureties must be blood relatives, show evidence of three years’ tax payment to the Oyo State government, present their National Identification Numbers and show evidence of land ownership in Ibadan.

She, thereafter, adjourned the matter until July 4 for hearing.

The prosecutor, Insp Ayodele Ayeni, had told the court that the defendant committed the offence between March 2024 and April 2025 at Ibikunle, Ayeye area of Ibadan.

Mr Ayeni said Ms Solademi stole 12 packs of Bigi water valued at N14,750, 31 packs of big Eva water valued at N309,400, and 176 packs of Mr V water valued at N264,400.

He said the defendant also stole 405 packs of Predator valued at N1,903,400 and 14 packs of Schewepps valued at N57,600.

The prosecutor listed other items allegedly stolen by the defendant as 244 packs of pet coke valued at N882,300; 20 packs of big American cola valued at N128,000.12, and packs of Bigi Cola valued at N240,000.

The remaining items were one carton of La Casera valued at N1,850,240,000; 34 cartons of Pepsi valued at N104,100; 100 cartons of Coca-Cola valued at N520,000; and 243 cartons of Fearless valued at N992,300.

The other stolen drinks were: 75 cartons of Bigi Fanta valued at N240,000, 14 packs of Sosa drink valued at N4,000 and 395 packs of Bigi American cola valued at N1.422 million.

Mr Ayeni said the drinks belonged to Ajoke Ayinde, a businesswoman.

He said the offence contravenes section 390(9) of the Criminal Code, Cap. 38, Vol. II, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.

(NAN)