By Opeyemi Otitoju & Divine Oluwadare
A 36-year old man, Oluwaseun Olumide, has been arraigned before a Chief Magistrate’s Court sitting in Akure, Ondo State, over an alleged string of burglaries targeting residential buildings and churches across different parts of the state capital.
The defendant was docked on a 19-count charge bordering on housebreaking, burglary, stealing, malicious damage and escape from lawful custody.
According to the police prosecutor, Taiwo Oniyere, the alleged offences were committed between March and June 2026 at various locations, including Ilere Community, Oke Odu, Ijare Road, Olorunsogo Street, FUTA South Gate and several worship centres within Akure.
Oniyere told the court that the defendant allegedly broke into residential buildings and churches with intent to commit felony and carted away valuables worth several millions of naira.
The prosecution alleged that the stolen items included electric generators, televisions, home theatre systems, gas cylinders, standing fans, speakers, amplifiers, keyboards, industrial mixers, furniture, roofing materials, wall fans, fireman generators, chemical pumping machines and other household appliances belonging to different victims.
The prosecutor further alleged that the defendant burgled several churches, including the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Mount Bethel Prayer Ministry and God Grace and Glory Parish, where musical instruments, public address systems and other church property were allegedly stolen.
He also alleged that the defendant escaped from lawful custody after his arrest.
According to the prosecution, the alleged offences contravene various provisions of the Criminal Code, Cap. 37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006. The charges are punishable under Sections 383 and 390(9) (stealing), Sections 411 and 412 (housebreaking and burglary), Section 415 (breaking into a place of worship), Section 413(1)(2), and Section 509 of the Criminal Code.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
The prosecutor informed the court that the prosecution would call 13 witnesses to prove its case and requested an adjournment to enable it to prepare the witnesses for trial.
Counsel to the defendant, T. Owoeye, urged the court to admit his client to bail on liberal terms, assuring the court that he would not abscond and would stand trial.
In his ruling, the Chief Magistrate, F.O. Odenusi, ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Olokuta Correctional Centre pending the determination of his bail application.
The case was adjourned to August 4, 2026, for hearing of the bail application and commencement of trial.