The police on Friday, charged a 35-year-old man, Kabiru Bakare, before an Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrates’ Court, over alleged land grabbing.
The defendant, whose address was not stated, is standing trial on charges bordering on conspiracy, forceful entry, land grabbing and conduct likely to breach public peace.
He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The prosecutor, ASP Akinwale Oriyomi, told the court that the defendant committed the offences alongside others now at large, on July 15, at Are-Ekiti within the Iworoko-Ekiti Magisterial District.
Oriyomi alleged that the defendant conspired with others to forcefully enter and take over a parcel of land belonging to a complainant, one Chief Olawunmi Olowojebutu of Are-Ekiti.
The prosecutor also alleged that the defendant conducted himself in a manner likely to breach peace, by entering and taking over a parcel of land in actual possession of the complainant.
The offences contravene the provisions of sections 65, and 421 of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021.
It also contravenes the provisions of section 2 of the Ekiti State Property (Anti-Land Grabbing) Law, 2020 (as amended) .
Counsel to the defendant, Mr Akin Akingbade, urged the court to grant the defendant bail with a promise that he would not jump bail.
The Chief Magistrate, Mr Abayomi Adosun granted the defendant bail in the sum of N50,000, with two sureties each in like sum.
He adjourned the case until Sept. 4, for hearing.(NAN).
