By Isaiah Ajayi
Two men, Ogunleye Ojo Vincente and Ahmat Saidu, were on Thursday arraigned before an Akure Magistrate’s Court for allegedly conspiring to steal industrial machines, mechanical equipment and electrical cables along Owo Road in Akure, Ondo State.
The duo, identified as scavengers, were brought before the court on a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy and stealing.
According to the charge sheet, the defendants and others still at large committed the offences on August 26, 2025, beside the Federal Girls’ College, Owo Road, Akure, within the Akure South Local Government Area.
The prosecution, led by Oluwafemi Ekundayo, told the court that the accused persons fraudulently removed and stole mechanical equipment, industrial machines and electrical cables without lawful authority.
Ekundayo noted that the offences contravened Sections 383(1) and 517 of the Criminal Code Law, Cap 37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State, 2006, and are punishable under Section 390 of the same law.
When the charges were read to them, the defendants pleaded not guilty.
Their counsel, Adeyinka Opaleke, applied for bail on behalf of the defendants, assuring the court that they would provide reliable sureties and attend all hearings.
In his ruling, Magistrate Sunday Adedapo granted each of the defendants bail in the sum of N800,000 with two sureties each in like sum.
He further directed that the sureties must present verifiable addresses and tax clearance certificates for the current year.
The case was adjourned to October 28, for further hearing.