Osun farmer’s cocoa worth N1.1m stolen, 23-year-old suspect docked

A 23-year-old man, Eludoyin Idowu, has been arraigned before an Ile-Ife Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing cocoa pods valued at N1.1 million from a farm in Osun State.

According to the police prosecutor, ASP Abdullahi Emmanuel, the defendant was said to have unlawfully entered the cocoa farm of one Samuel Eze at Ilesanmi Village, Ile-Ife, on 5 July 2025, and allegedly harvested and took away the pods without authorisation.

Emmanuel stated that the offence contravenes Sections 81 and 390(9) of the Criminal Code, Laws of Osun, 2002, which prescribe penalties for unlawful entry and theft.

Idowu pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge of forcible entry and stealing.

The defence counsel, Mrs Comfort Eyiolawi, applied for bail on behalf of the defendant, assuring the court that her client would not abscond and would provide reliable sureties.

Magistrate Abosede Sarumi granted bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in the same amount. The court further directed that the sureties must: Provide an affidavit of means; Reside within the court’s jurisdiction; Present valid addresses for verification by the prosecutor; Own landed property; Submit three years’ tax clearance certificates and three recent passport photographs each.

The matter was adjourned to 23 July 2025 for hearing.