The Police on Friday, charged three men before an Okitipupa Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ondo State, for allegedly stealing 71 bunches of palm fruits.
The defendants are: Omosehin Ogen, 47; Adekunle Oguntusin, 41; and Sola Ayodele, 25.
The trio whose occupations are: tailor, driver, and farmer respectively, are standing trial on a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy and stealing.
They each, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The prosecutor, ASP Ayodeji Omoyeigha, told the court that the defendants committed the offences on Feb. 15, at about 7:00 a.m., at Yasere camp in Okitipupa area of the state.
He alleged that the defendants entered into a palm fruits plantation, belonging to Okitipupa Oil Palm Plc and stole 71 palm fruit bunches worth N200,000.
He said that they were eventually arrested by the police.
The offences contravene the provisions of Sections 390 (9) and 516 of the Criminal Law of Ondo State, 2006.
The Chief Magistrate, Mr Mayowa Olanipekun, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N200,000 each, with two sureties each in like sum.
He added that the sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and must also present evidence of two years tax payment made to the state.
He, adjourned the case until April 30, for hearing. (NAN)
