By Oluwaferanmi Oladipo
A 30-year old man, Kehinde Sunday, has been arraigned before the Akure Magistrate’s Court for allegedly stealing cocoa seeds worth N5 million and threatening to kill the owner of the farm and her labourers.
Sunday was arraigned by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, stealing, unlawful entry into a farmland and threat to life.
The defendant was arraigned before Magistrate Odenusi-Fadeyi Olateju.
The prosecution, led by Taiwo Oniyeye, told the court that the offences were committed on November 24, 2025, at about 11am at Omoeye Camp Forest Reserve, via Idanre, Ondo State.
Oniyeye alleged that Sunday, alongside others at large, unlawfully entered the farmland belonging to one Mrs Florence Olotu and stole cocoa seeds valued at N5m.
The prosecutor further alleged that the defendant threatened to kill Olotu and her labourers.
The offences, according to the prosecution, contravened Sections 516 and 81 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State, 2006, as well as Section 19 of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law of Ondo State, 2020.
The charges were read to the defendant, but he pleaded not guilty to all three counts.
Consequently, Magistrate Odenusi-Fadeyi granted him bail in the sum of N6m, with two sureties in like sum.
The magistrate also ordered each surety to provide evidence of payment of current-year tax and deposit ?500,000 with the Ondo State Judiciary, while the police were directed to verify their addresses.
The case was adjourned to November 17, 2026, for hearing.