By Opeyemi Otitoju
The Police have arraigned a 40-year old man, Adebowale Dele, before the Magistrate’s Court sitting in Akure over the alleged theft of 60 cartons of new cutlasses valued at N19.6 million.
According to the police prosecutor, ASP Folasade Adesuyi, the defendant and others now at large allegedly conspired to commit a felony, namely stealing, on July 10, 2026, at about 4:00 p.m. at Alade, Idanre, within the Akure Magisterial District.
The prosecution also alleged in the second count that the defendant and others at large, on the same date, time and place, allegedly stole 60 cartons of new cutlasses valued at N19.6 million, property belonging to one Taiwo Solomon.
The defendant was brought before the court on a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy to steal and stealing.
The offences contravene and punishable under Sections 383 and 390 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 37, Vol. I, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The Police prosecutor, ASP Folasade Adesuyi, proposed witnesses for the trial and urged the court to grant an adjournment date for the commencement of trial.
Counsel to the defendant, C.O. Falana, on his part, urged the court to grant his client bail on the most liberal terms.
While giving evidence before the court, the Investigating Police Officer, who spoke under the condition of anonymity told the court that there were still other suspects at large in connection with the case.
He described the matter as one involving fraud and alleged that the defendant was among those involved in the theft of the nominal complainant’s property.
The investigating officer further alleged that the defendant had been identified as the manager of the alleged fraud team.
However, the defendant denied the allegations, insisting that he was only implicated and knew nothing about the alleged offence.
The defendant told the court that he found a SIM card and a phone in his vehicle, which he said was a public vehicle he used for his work as a public driver.
According to him, he began using the items for some days before the Police tracked them, adding that he had no knowledge that they belonged to the alleged thieves.
In his ruling, Magistrate T.G. Alphonso granted the defendant bail in the sum of 20 million naira with two sureties in like sum.
The court further ordered that one of the sureties must own a residential building within the jurisdiction of the court.
The case was adjourned to September 28, 2026, for further hearing.