Two individuals have been charged by the Ekiti State police with stealing and possessing iron rods in two separate magistrate courts in Ado Ekiti. The defendants are 31-year-old Ishola Awogbemi and 36-year-old Samuel Chucks, who were both hauled into court on suspicion of possessing stolen iron rods. Samuel Chucks was charged with theft. Inspector Raymond Osas, the prosecution in Chucks’ case, is claiming in court on Thursday that the defendant committed the theft on August 14 in Ikogosi, Ekiti. Chucks is on trial for a single count of theft.
The prosecutor alleged that “the defendant stole 50 pieces of 12mm iron rods valued at N575,000, property of the Ekiti State Government. The offence contravened Section 302(1) (a) of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021”.
Osas urged the court to adjourn the case to enable him to study the file and present his witnesses.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against him as counsel for the defendant, Mr Ayodeji Oguntuase, urged the court to grant the defendant bail, with a promise that he would not jump bail.
The Magistrate, Mr Olatomiwa Daramola, who granted the defendant bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum, adjourned the case till September 18 for hearing.
In the case of Awogbemi, who is facing a charge of possession of an iron rod, the prosecutor, Inspector Olubu Apata, told the court that the defendant committed the offence in Ado Ekiti on August 18.
The prosecutor alleged that “the defendant has in his possession 10mm iron rod reasonably suspected to have been stolen. The offence contravened Section 345 of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021.”
Apata urged the court to adjourn the case to enable him to study the file and assemble his witnesses.
Counsel for the defendant, Mr Gbenga Ariyibi, urged the court to grant his client bail, with a promise that he would not jump bail.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Taiwo Ajibade, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N10,000 with one surety in like sum and adjourned the case till Sept.18 for a hearing.