A 30-year-old man named Ezekiel Babalola was arraigned at the Ekiti State Chief Magistrate’s Court in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday for allegedly stealing 17 kegs of palm oil.
The police prosecutor, Inspector Olubu Apata, informed the court that Babalola and two accomplices, who are currently at large, had stolen the kegs of palm oil, which belonged to Mrs. Taiwo Adeuya.
The accused was charged with conspiracy and stealing, both of which are offenses under sections 516 and 390 of the Criminal Code, Cap C16, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012. Babalola pleaded not guilty to the charges.
“The defendant and two others at large did conspire and steal 17 kegs of red palm oil valued at N558,500, property of Mrs Taiwo Adeuya,” Apata said.
Apata, who alleged that the defendant committed the offense around 6am on January 24 at Ire Ekiti in the Oye Local Government area of the state, said, “The offence is punishable under Section 422, 302(1)(a) of the Criminal Laws of Ekiti State 2021”.
Gboyega Abiola, the defendant’s attorney, requested the court to grant release, stressing that the prisoner would comply with bail terms.
The Chief Magistrate, Kehinde Awosika, granted bail of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum to the defendant and adjourned the matter till April 16 for a definite hearing.
