By Remi Bamgbose
Okitipupa – Three men and a woman on Friday appeared at an Okitipupa Chief Magistrate’s Court in Ondo State over allegedly conspiracy and stealing of foodstuffs and other items valued at N596, 000.
The accused are: Taiye Rabiu, 25, a businessman, Abayomi Adebayo, 26, bricklayer, Akinyele Ekusi, 50, a farmer and Ruth Balogun, 32, a trader.
They were appearing in court on a four-count charge bordering on felony, burglary, stealing and buying of stolen goods.
The prosecutor, Insp. Zedekiah Orogbemi, told the court that the first and second accused and one other still at large had on Aug. 22 around 10:30 p.m burgled a shop.
He said that the action was to commit felony and steal from the shop located at the New Garage, along Ode-Aye Road, Okitipupa.
He said the first and second accused stole 20 bags of rice valued at N328,000, and 13 pieces of 25 litres of vegetable oil valued at N156,000.
He added that they also stole six kegs of Soya Bean oil valued at N78,000, five kegs of vegetable oil valued at N34,000, all totalling N596, 000.
The prosecutor said that the goods belonged to one Fagbemi Oluwa.
The prosecutor also said that the third accused had on Aug. 27 at 2:00 p.m at Old Garage in Okitpupa received some quantities of rice from one Star Boy, knowing fully well the item was stolen.
Orogbemi also told the court that the fourth accused had on Aug. 25 at 06: 30 p.m., at the Old Garage, Okitipupa, also received three bags of rice valued at N48,000.
The prosecutor added that the accused also received five packs of Coca-Cola drinks valued at N5,300 from one Laisi Balogun, knowing well it was a stolen property.
He said that all the accused committed the offences contrary to Sections 415, 516, 390(9) and 427, Criminal Code, Cap.37, Vol.1, Laws of Ondo State 2006.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges levelled against them.
Chief Magistrate Dickson Ogunfuyi granted the first and second accused bail in the sum of N500,000 each and a surety each in like sums .
He said each of the sureties must show evidence of a year”s tax clearance and being ownership of landed properties.
Ogunfuyi also granted the third and fourth accused bail in the sum of N200,000 each and a surety each in like sums.
He also said that each of them must also provide evidence of a year’s tax clearance.
He adjourned the case until Oct. 25 for further hearing.