Police arrest govt officials, traders for looting COVID-19 palliatives

The police have arrested two officials of the Oyo State Government before a Chief Magistrates’ Court, Ibadan, for allegedly stealing and selling 40 bags of sugar from the state’s COVID-19 palliatives.

A trader who allegedly sold the stolen palliatives to one Kafayat Babalola was also arraigned alongside the government officials.

The officials and the trader were charged with conspiracy, stealing, and receiving of stolen goods.

The defendants are a 50-year-old driver, Adebiyi Azeez, and Sunday Akinleye, a 43-year-old Assistant Protocol Officer in charge of palliatives at the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

The prosecutor, Sunday Ogunremi, told the court that the offence was committed on December 30.

He said, “Adebiyi and Akinleye stole 40 bags of Dangote Sugar, valued at N60,000, being COVID-19 palliatives and property of the Oyo State Government.

“The duo used the official vehicle of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to convey the goods to the buyer.

“The third defendant, Mrs Kafayat Babalola, a trader at Agbeni market, Ibadan, received the 40 bags of sugar, knowing that they were not for sale, being the property of the state government.”

He said the offence contravened sections 516, 390 (9) and 427 of the Criminal Code of Oyo State, 2000.

The defendants pleaded not guilty and the Chief Magistrate, Mr Taiwo Oladiran, granted them bail in the sum of N20,000 each, with two sureties each in like sum, and adjourned the case to February 8 for hearing.