Bricklayer docked over alleged destruction of property worth N925,000

A 30 year-old bricklayer, Funmilayo Peter, on Friday appeared before an Okitipupa Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ondo State for alleged destruction of property worth N925,000.

The defendant whose address was not given, is facing a four-count charge bordering on breach of peace, assault, threat to life and unlawful destruction of property.

The prosecutor, ASP Zedekiah Orogbemi, told the court that the defendant on June 17, 2023 around 10:00pm at Cabana Hotel, Okitipupa, committed the offences.

Orogbemi said that the defendant after being drunk assaulted one of the hotel workers, Melody Morid and threatened to kill the owner of the hotel, Olubunmi Mesima and his family.

The prosecutor said that the defendant also unlawfully destroyed a 32 inches Samsung television, crates of beer and 200 pieces of Cameron Zinc, totalling N925,000 property of Mesima.

He said that the offences contravened the provisions of Sections 249(d), 351, 86 and 451 the Criminal Code, Cap.37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State, 2006.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr Cletus Ojuola granted the defendant bail in the sum of N200, 000 and two sureties in like sum.

He added that the sureties must reside within the court jurisdiction and present evidence of two years tax payment to the state government.

He adjourned the case until Feb. 5, for further hearing.