A 21-year-old farmer, Dotun Adeyemi, on Thursday appeared before an Okitipupa Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing property valued at N400,000, belonging to the Ondo State Water Corporation.
The defendant, whose address was not given, is facing a two-count charge bordering on malicious damage and stealing.
The police prosecutor, Insp Ayodeji Omoyeigha, told the court that the defendant and one other person, currently at large, committed the offences on Feb. 15 at about 11:30 p.m. at a water installation site in Erinje, within the Okitipupa Magisterial District.
Omoyeigha alleged that defendant and his fleeing accomplice, maliciously damaged a box cable belonging to the water corporation.
He added that the defendant and the other suspect at large stole two kickstarter boxes valued at N60,000, a gear switch worth N140,000, and a 35mm mounted cable wire valued at N200,000 — all totaling N400,000
The prosecutor said that the defendant committed the alleged offences which contravened and punishable under Sections 451 and 390 (9), Criminal Code, Cap.37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State, 2006.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Chief Magistrate, Mr Mayowa Olanipekun granted the defendant bail in the sum of N100,000 with a surety in like sum.
He ruled that the surety must reside resident within the court’s jurisdiction.
Olaniyi further held that the surety must provide evidence of at least two years’ worth of tax payments made to the state government as part of the bail conditions.
He adjourned the case until July 24, for further hearing.