Ondo union arraigns carpenters for alleged stealing
By Akintunde Jacobs, Akure
Ten members of the Carpenters and Furniture Makers Progressive Union (CFMPU) in Ondo state have been arraigned at the state magistrate court, sitting in Akure for alleged stealing, malicious damage and conduct likely to cause the breach of peace in the state.
The defendants, Sunday Ajayi, Oladapo Rufus, Kolawole Muraina, Olusola Felix, Idowu Owadayo, Kolawole Joseph, Olaniyi Ayeni, Aladesanmi Gbenga, Adu Oluwagbemiga and Sunday Oluwasola were said to have committed the offence on the 29th February, 2024 at about 12:35pm at their union Secretariat, located at Arakale street, Akure.
They are all being charged for conspiring among “yourselves to commit felony to wit stealing, malicious damage and conduct likely to cause the breach of peace by disrupting an ongoing executive meeting of the carpenters and furniture makers progressive union.
Also included in the charge are “stealing thirty-four bags of rice valued at eighty thousand naira each totaling two million seven hundred and twenty thousand naira (N2,720,000.00) only, cash sum of five hundred and fifty two thousand, five hundred naira and a caventer printer valued at fifty five thousand naira (NS5,000) only, property of the carpenters and furniture makers progressive union, Ondo State.”
“And did maliciously damage two office tables both valued at seventy thousand naira (N70,000) only and an official portrait of Adekunle Obolo valued at ten thousand naira (N10,000) only property of the carpenters and furniture makers progressive union, Ondo State.”
The offences, according to the prosecution, are punishable under sections 526, 249,390 (9) and 451 of the criminal code cap. 37 Vol. I Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.
The defendants, who were charged with four counts of conspiracy, stealing, malicious damage and conduct likely to cause the breach of peace, however, pleaded not guilty to all counts leveled against them.
The Prosecution Counsel, Inspector Wada Simon, however, prayed the court to adjourn the case for him to assemble all his witnesses.
While Counsel to the defendants, D.S Akinbo, urged the court to grant bail to the defendants saying all the alleged offences leveled against them are bailable under the law.
According to Akinbo, “Fundamentally, the defendants are still presumed innocent, they have never been arraigned before any court.
“We apply that the court admit the defendants to bail in the most liberal terms. Court should please exercise its power in favour of these defendants.
“The defendants have no criminal records, all the defendants are members of the same union, and the complainant is only using his position to create problems for the union and to intimidate the defendants in question,” the defence counsel pleaded.
In his ruling, the Presiding Magistrate A. Kolawole, ordered the bail of the defendants with N500,000 only with one surety, who must have landed property and resident within the court jurisdiction, and who shall also provide affidavit. The residence of each surety must also be verified by the court.
Magistrate Kolawole, however, adjourned the case till 2nd May, 2024 for hearing.
