Five arraigned for stealing 600 bags of cement, others in Ekiti

Five persons; Jegede Olusola, Faleye Sunday, Filani Oladipo, Olabode Felix and Dada Tunde have been arraigned by Ekiti State Government for stealing its 600 bags of cement and 16mm iron rods, valued at ₦1,530,000 and N35,000 respectively.

It was gathered that other stolen items, traced to the accused, were 180 pieces of marine board and one roll of binding wire, valued at N112,000 and N378,000, respectively.

Punch reports that, the items, all valued at N2.05m, belonging to the state government, were meant for the building of the ultra-modern Oba Market in Old Garage, Ado Ekiti.

The offence is punishable under sections 390 and 516 of the Criminal Code, Cap C16, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012. The two-count charge was filed by the state Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr. Gbemiga Adaramola.

The accused however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecutor, at Thursday hearing, asked the Chief Magistrate, Idowu Aiyenimo, for adjournment to enable him respond to the counter-affidavit and the preliminary objection filed against the charge.

He said, “We were served this morning; we thought we would be able to respond to the processes, but unfortunately, we are still at typing stage.”

The Chief Magistrate, Aiyenimo, adjourned the case till August 17 for mention.