By Akinnodi Francis, Ondo

Two siblings, Ojo Akinfemiwa, 63, and Aduni Akinfemiwa, 72, have been arraigned before the Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ondo for allegedly stealing cocoa pods and cutting down economic trees.

The defendants were charged with conspiracy and felony, including the theft of cocoa pods worth N3,800,000 and the destruction of economic trees valued at N1,200,000, both belonging to Oyewole Ganiyu.

The alleged offences were said to have occurred between May and June 13, 2024, at Anja Camp via Ondo.

According to the charge sheet, the offences contravene Sections 516, 390(9), 451, and 249(D) of the Criminal Code, Cap 37, Volume 1, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.

The charge sheet also revealed that the defendants, along with others still at large, conspired to commit the alleged theft and destruction of property.

It read in part: “That you, Ojo Akinfemiwa, male, 63, and Aduni Akinfemiwa, female, 72, and others still at large, sometimes in the month of May 2024, at about 2.30 pm at Anja camp via Ondo, in the Indoor Magisterial District, did conspire together to commit felony to wit stealing, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code, Cap 37, Volume 1, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.”

Further allegations claim that the defendants, alongside some thugs and wood operators, invaded Ganiyu’s farmland on June 13, 2024, where they felled economic trees worth N1,200,000 and destroyed other cash crops. The charge sheet also alleges that they threatened the lives of Ganiyu and his son, Ibrahim, vowing to kill them using hired assassins.

In another incident in September 2024, the siblings were accused of causing a breach of peace by bringing a surveyor to the farmland to measure and erect pillars without Ganiyu’s consent.

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to all five charges levelled against them.

Police prosecutor Supol Bernard Olagbayi informed the court of his intention to call three witnesses and requested time to review the case file.

The defendants’ legal counsel, Prince Adejayan, applied for bail on their behalf.

Magistrate Mrs O.A. Omofolarin granted bail to the defendants in the sum of N1,000,000 each, with two sureties in like sum.

The Magistrate stated that the sureties must be blood relatives of the defendants and must present evidence of tax clearance, two recent passport photographs, and valid identification.

The defendants are to remain in custody at correctional facilities in Shegede and Surulere until their bail conditions are met.

The case has been adjourned to February 13, 2025, for further hearing.