Two teenagers and five men have appeared before an Abeokuta Magistrates’ Court over the alleged theft of electrical fittings and household items worth over N28 million.
The defendants, Sunday Odeshola, 15, Monday Ubah, 16, and David Odeshola, 45, were arraigned on a three-count charge of conspiracy stealing, and malicious damage.
Four others, Kaman Rabiru, 27, Lawal Shaibu, 25, Nazid Abdullahi, 27, and Ibrahim Khalid, 25, were arraigned for unlawfully receiving stolen goods.
The prosecutor, Insp. Lawrence Olu-Balogun told the court that the defendants and others at large committed the offences between Dec. 10 and Dec. 17, at Ariwo Quarters, Owode Egbe, in Abeokuta, at 12:30 p.m.
He alleged that Odeshola, Odeh, and Odeshola broke into the house of one Mr. Akinwale Azeez and stole an Eito inverter electrical machine valued at N2 million, electrical wires, iron compressors, and gas cooker burners all valued at N26 million, totaling to N28 million.
The prosecutor also added that Sunday Odeshola and Odey maliciously damaged one electric engine valued at N500,000, one entrance iron door valued at N150,000, one Aluminium window glass valued at N50,000, and five refrigerators valued at N1 million, all valued at N1.7 million.
He said Kabiru, Shaibu, Abdullahi, and Khalid unlawfully received the stolen electrical wires, iron compressors, and gas cooker burners.
The prosecutor said that the offenses committed contravened Sections 516, 390 (9), and 427 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun 2006.
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against each of them.
Ruling on the defendant’s bail application, the Chief Magistrate, Dr. B.O. Ilo, admitted them to bail in the sum of N2 million each with one surety each.
Ilo said that the sureties must be bondsmen registered with the Ogun State Judiciary.
He thereafter adjourned the case until Jan. 10, 2025, for hearing (NAN)
