A 45-year-old laborer, Kunle Igbayemi on Thursday, appeared before an Okitipupa Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ondo State, over alleged malicious damage.
The defendant, whose address was not stated, is standing trial on a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy causing malicious damage to young palm trees and plantains worth N500,000.
He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The prosecutor, ASP Ayodeji Omoyeigha, told the court that the defendant conspired to commit the offence alongside one other now at large, on Feb. 17, at about 11.30 a.m. at a farm along Ayeka-Irele road in Okitipupa.
He alleged that following a land dispute, the defendant entered into the plantation of one Mr Felix Ayenuro , and maliciously damaged his young palm trees and plantains.
The prosecutor said that the defendant was eventually arrested by the police.
The offences contravene the provisions of sections 451 and 517 of the Criminal Law of Ondo State, 2006.
The Chief Magistrate, Mr Mayowa Olanipekun, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N100,000 with a surety in like sum.
He added that the surety must be resident within the court’s jurisdiction, and must also provide evidence of two years tax payment made to the state government.
The court adjourned the case until April 28, for hearing. (NAN)
