By Oluwadamilola Akinduro

The Ondo State Police Command has arraigned six men before an Akure Magistrates’ Court on charges of housebreaking and the theft of valuable items totalling N8.4 million.

The defendants; Shaibu Samuel, 19; Olatunbosun Olalekan, 18; Usman Liasu, 30; Sufiano Abubakar, 19; Abdulrahaman Mustapha, 19 and Yakubu Umar, 19, who did not provide their addresses, are facing a seven-count charge of conspiracy, felony, burglary, theft, and malicious damage.

Police prosecutor, Adeoye Adesegun, informed the court that the defendants, alongside an accomplice at large, conspired to commit theft between August and October 2024 at Ajiboye Close, Alagbaka, in Akure.

Adesegun detailed that the defendants broke into the home of Shola Anifowose, making off with various items, including: a gold necklace and jewellery worth N2 million; three Sumec generators valued at N750,000; one Fireman generator worth N300,000; half bag of foreign rice valued at N55,000 and other items. The total value of stolen items amounts to N8,418,500, the property of Anifowose.

Furthermore, it was alleged that defendants Sufiano Abubakar and Usman Liasu received £1,600, equivalent to N3.2 million, and £400, equivalent to N800,000, belonging to Olatunbosun Olalekan and Shaibu Samuel, knowing these sums to be stolen.

Adesegun also stated that Abdulrahaman Mustapha and Yakubu Umar received three Sumec generators worth N750,000, one Fireman generator valued at N300,000, a wheelbarrow worth N100,000, and a locking machine valued at N500,000.

The offences are punishable under Sections 516, 412, 413(2), 390(9), and 451 of the Criminal Law of Ondo State 2006.

All defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The prosecuting counsel, Akeredolu, indicated his intention to call five witnesses in the case and requested a date to review the case file.

 Defence lawyers, Kehinde Osadugba and A. I. Musa did not object to the request, but sought bail for their clients on the most liberal terms.

Presiding Magistrate Damilola Sekoni granted the defendants bail in the sum of N1 million each, with two sureties in like sum.

The defendants, however, could not perfect their bail and were remanded at Olokuta Correctional Centre, Akure.

The case was adjourned till November 8, 2024, for further hearing.