By Ayodele Popoola
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The Ondo State Police Command on Tuesday, arraigned seven persons before a Chief Magistrate Court in Akure, over alleged armed robbery and receiving of stolen goods.
The suspects are; Bamidele Ayomide, 35; Ogundipe Ezekiel,33; Akintewe Monday, 35; Oyewumi Samson, 23, and three women, Christianah Egbo, 34; Nneka Friday,32 and Nkechi Enujuba,40.
The defendants were charged with eight counts, which include armed robbery and receiving stolen goods.
Police prosecutor, Abdulateef Sulaiman, informed the court that the defendants and others at large committed the offences on September 24, 2023, between 12:30 am and 1:30 am in Ondo town.
Sulaiman alleged that the 1st,2nd, and 3rd defendants, while armed with guns, cutlasses, and other dangerous weapons, robbed a cargo bus on the highway and carted away goods which include: glass and hospital equipment valued at N3,500,000, 24 dormer spare parts valued at N240, 000, six bags of stockfish worth N1 million.
Other items include; 12 packs of books valued at N150, 000, foodstuffs valued at N200,000, bicycle tyres valued at N800,000, clothes valued at N350,000, N200,000, and total cash of N280,000, all valued at N6,770, 000, belonging to one Ayoade Omonijo.
The prosecutor stated that on the same day and time, the defendants also robbed a woman, Shakirat, a passenger in the bus, of her properties worth N800,000 and also carted away N150,000 cash.
According to Sulaiman, the other four defendants on the 25th of same month at different places, received stolen goods from Ayomide, Akintewe, and Ogundipe, knowing same to have been robbed.
The offences, according to the prosecutor, contravened Sections 6 A and B, 1,2 A and B, and 5 of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provision) Act Cap. R11 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge, hence Sulaiman urged the court to remand them at the Olokuta Correctional Centre.
Chief Magistrate N.T Aladejana, ordered the remand of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd defendants at Olokuta Correctional Centre, while the 4th,5th,6th, and 7th defendants were admitted to bail in the sum of N500,000 each with two sureties each in like sum.
He adjourned the case till October 24,2023 for rulling.