Three men have been arrested and arraigned before an Okitipupa Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ondo State for allegedly burgling a shop and stealing a bag of dried pepper valued at N150,000.
The suspects — Dayo Ademola, 24; Tunmise Adeyemi, 21; and Sunday Awotula, 20 — identified as labourers and a farmer, were charged with felony, burglary, and theft.
Police prosecutor, ASP Zedekiah Orogbemi, told the court that the defendants allegedly broke into the shop of one Iyabo Akinluwa in the Sabo area of Okitipupa around 4:40 a.m. on June 17 and carted away the bag of pepper.
According to him, the offences contravened Sections 516, 413, and 390 (9) of the Criminal Code, Cap 37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State, 2006.
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
In his ruling, Chief Magistrate Olanrewaju Adelegan granted each defendant bail in the sum of N50,000 with one surety in like sum.
He added that the sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and provide evidence of two years’ tax payment to the state government.
The case was adjourned to September 10 for further hearing.
NAN